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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th May 2011
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Farmers warned: early season blowfly
A record mild & dry spring is thought to be causing early blowfly.

Helen Langham, Brand Manager at Novartis Animal Health, said she had received reports from sheep farmers via Novartis Animal Health Account Managers that at least fours farms in England and Wales had been affected so far.

The farms are in Worcestershire, Wiltshire, Devon and Llanelli. All the sheep were treated before the symptoms had gone too far.

"There is accumulating evidence that suggests the blowfly problem is starting earlier in the year and going on later. This year we have had a particularly mild and dry spring, which appears to be having an effect in a number of regions around the country," she said.

Thomas Tiley, a vet with Novartis Animal Health, said prevention was the best
way of dealing with blowfly, but farmers needed to be aware that the traditional
season for treatment was become earlier than before.

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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. 

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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.