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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th September 2012
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Confidence badger cull will commence
The NFU are sure outstanding licensing issues will be resolved

The National Farmers Union (NFU) have said it is confident the outstanding issues remaining on the Gloucestershire badger control licence application will be resolved in time for culling to commence this autumn.

Though Natural England have already issued a provisional licence last week, a full licence cannot be granted until a number of details have been finalised. This means that culling cannot yet begin in the pilot area of West Gloucestershire.

Natural England still need to agree both upper and lower badger kill limits with the company set up to organise the culls. It also needs to complete training of those contractors who will perform the culling.

If the six-week cull is to take place this year, they need to begin by mid-October at the latest, in order to finish before the badger breeding season begins.

The NFU Gloucestershire chairman, Charles Mann, said: "We have now got to do our work to fulfil the licence conditions but I am confident it will start this autumn."

Despite legal challenges, both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Natural England say they have no intention to delay piloting the culls.

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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.