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Badger Trust launch legal proceedings
Challenge to badger cull pilot program

The Badger Trust has informed the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that it will pursue a legal challenge if DEFRA does not retract the decision to sanction two pilot culls of badger this autumn in an effort to reduce the transmission of Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB). DEFRA has until February 17th 2012 to respond.

David Williams, Chairman of the Badger Trust, has claimed that DEFRA have not addressed concerns that the cull could contribute towards the spread of disease. He also stated that the Trust believes such a cull to be unlawful. “If there is an opportunity to save many thousands of healthy badgers, as there is here, we must take it on behalf of the many local badger groups and supporters on whose behalf the Badger Trust works. If successful it would also save farmers the expense of a policy which would not benefit them.” he said. Mr Williams also confirmed that Badger Trust officials have personally met Ministers and have held 'several discussions'.

The Badger Trust's decision to launch legal proceedings was not an unexpected one. Farming Minister Jim Paice MP has consistently stated his belief that the Government fully expected a legal challenge to the policy of culling badgers and prepared legislation accordingly.

Mr Paice announced in January that two areas in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset had been designated as potential pilot cull areas. Groups of farmers in these areas can apply to Natural England for licences to cull badgers over areas of approximately 300 square kilometres. It is DEFRA's intention that the pilot programs will be monitored to determine the effectiveness, safety and humaneness of controlled shooting by trained marksmen.

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk