Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th March 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Welsh government publishes new bovine TB plan
Nearly 95 per cent of Welsh herds are now free of bTB.
The country aims to be free of the disease by 2041.

The Welsh government has published a new five-year Delivery Plan as it continues with its strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Wales.

Building on existing work, the new plan aims to increase the amount of collaboration in bTB eradication to empower vets and farmers to make informed decisions and show leadership in controlling the disease.

Rules about testing will be changed. Legislation to reintroduce pre-movement testing for cattle movements within and from the Low TB Area will be brought forward and there will be an extension of the requirement for post-movement testing in the Intermediate TB Areas.

A Programme Board and Technical Advisory Group will be established to provide technical expertise on key policy areas such as the management of in-calf cattle affected by bTB.

There will also be engagement with stakeholders on TB payments and informed purchasing to explore policy options, with further legislative changes in the future.

In recent years, Wales has been making progress at reducing incidents of bTB. Between 2009 and December 2022, new cases of bTB in Welsh herds fell by 49 per cent and prevalence dropped by 32 per cent. This meant that by December 2022, 94.7 per cent of herds were free of the disease.

Minister for rural affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “I am very aware of the impact of bovine TB on our farming community and the emotional and financial consequences of this disease. It is extremely distressing for farmers who have an outbreak in their herd. That’s why I am clear we must maintain momentum and build on our already extensive programme of measures, to make further progress towards the eradication of bovine TB in Wales.

“Good progress has already been made, with the long-term trends showing a decrease in cases. We must build on this. However, Government cannot do this alone. Partnership working is needed with our farmers and vets to reach our goal of a TB-free Wales.

“The plan I have published today, outlines what we can all do together over the next five years, to build on what has already been achieved. We must all unite to succeed in eradicating this disease.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.