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Rules tightened on cattle movement
Testing regime will also be changed

Ministers have announced a 'crackdown' on cattle movement in a bid to help prevent bovine TB spreading between cattle.

The new rules will come into force from 1st January 2013 and include alterations to the testing regime and cattle movement restrictions. The region where farms must be annually tested for TB has been extended to encompass ten new counties across England, and farmers who have had a case of TB in their farm will not be allowed to bring in new cattle until the rest of the herd has been tested and a vet has carried out an assessment. Farmers will also have only 30 days to move cattle that test negative for TB out of a TB breakdown farm.

Agriculture Minister David Heath said: "We need to stop the spread of bovine TB, which led to the slaughter of 26,000 cattle in 2011 alone. These strengthened measures, alongside our badger control policy and the ongoing development of vaccines, are about reducing risks from all possible sources of TB infection, to help control the disease and eventually eradicate it."

The announcement comes as the debate over the badger cull continues, with the issue due to be discussed in the House of Commons on Thursday 25th October. 

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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.