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Veterinary Opinion Sought on AHVLA Lab Closures
Parliamentary Select Committee announces inquiry.

The Parliamentary Select Committee charged with monitoring the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is calling for veterinary opinions on the controversial matters of testing for Bovine Tuberculosis and the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratory Agency's (AHVLA) closure of eight of its sixteen regional surveillance sites across the UK by March 2013.  

AHVLA's announcement in September 2011 ended months of speculation. Sites to be closed include Truro, Langford, Luddington, Preston and Winchester.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom) has announced that it will be holding an evidence session on the two issues in the new year. The Welsh Affairs Committee will also be taking evidence on the closure of AHVLA Laboratories in Aberystwyth and Carmarthen.   

Commenting on the announcement, EFRACom Agriculture Specialist Rebecca Ross said: “Particularly with the rationalisation of lab services, there is concern that there will be a loss of service in rural areas and a loss of expertise. EFRACom took this up with the Secretary of State in Autumn 2011 and we felt we wanted to hold a full enquiry into the issue.”

Calling on practitioners and veterinary bodies to contribute to the enquiry, she added: “It is absolutely critical we get feedback from large animal vets – the strength of the enquiry will be based on the feedback we get.

We’re particularly interested in issues of test turn-around time and the ability to turn them around in the event of a disease outbreak and the value of the diagnostic services.” 


Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence by 9th January. More details of the enquiry and requirements for submissions can be found on the EFRACom website.

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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.