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Equine veterinary research gets £1.6 million boost
HBLB awarded research and education grants

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has awarded £1.6 million in equine veterinary research and education grants for 2013, an increase of over 30 per cent on this year's allocation.

Nine new research projects will be supported in disciplines that reflect the HBLB's research priorities. The prevention of infectious disease remains a key priority and one in which the HLB has invested over the years. Previous funding towards effective vaccines for 'rattles' and strangles will be built upon, as will the modelling of the potential effects of African Horse Sickness, in the event of it spreading to Britain.

The creation of a rapid diagnostic test for West Nile disease will also receive funding, and research will also commence towards improved vaccines and novel drugs to protect the thoroughbred breeding industry from equine herpes virus, which can cause abortion, neonatal death and neurological disease.

Professor Willie Donachie, Chair of the HBLB's Veterinary Advisory Committee, said: "We are delighted that the Board has been able to commit £1.6m in 2012 and continue with its long-standing and effective investment in key areas such as infectious disease, racehorse safety and musculoskeletal injury. The grants that have been awarded support a full programme of scientific research and education that will make relevant and useful contributions to racehorse health for owners, breeders, trainers and their veterinary advisers."



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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.