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New Research to Increase Food Security
Photo by Ashley Banyard.
£13M of new research is being launched to tackle the significant and growing threat posed by livestock diseases to global food security and livelihoods in developing countries.

(The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID), with a contribution from the Scottish Government, have joined forces to fund 16 new projects that bring together world-class UK researchers with institutions in the developing world. The projects aim to find sustainable solutions to the animal disease threat to improve food security and help to build scientific capacity in the developing world to meet future challenges. Examples of the projects launched include developing and introducing a dip-stick test for ‘Goat Plague’, comparing Foot and Mouth disease in wildlife and livestock and developing a vaccine to control deadly Liver Fluke.

Photo by Tadelle Dessie.
The research will also have significant benefits for UK farmers and consumers. Livestock diseases such as foot and mouth disease, bluetongue, African swine fever and peste des petits ruminants virus are a global concern. Over the past 15 years livestock diseases are estimated to have cost the UK economy over £15Bn.

BBSRC Chief Executive, Professor Douglas Kell, said: “Joining with partners from developing countries, UK science can provide a solid platform for providing disease management solutions from better vaccinations through to more sophisticated diagnostic techniques which will not only transform the lives of millions across the developing world, but also generate a more stable livestock infrastructure globally for the benefit of us all.”

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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.