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TB control plans for 2013
England and Wales continue to target TB

The European Commission has approved the Wales TB (tuberculosis) Eradication Plan 2013, and from January 1, 2013, major TB rule changes will come into place for cattle farmers in England.

Among the rule changes, the current parish system for TB testing will be replaced with a country-wide system.

Further changes in England include reducing the window for moving cattle from TB restricted herds after their last negative TB skin test from 60 to 30 days, and only permitting the restocking of Officially TB Free status suspended (OTFS) herd after its first post-breakdown test and a satisfactory veterinary risk assessment.

Also from 2013, Approved Quarantine Units (AQU) will no longer be able to restock, but those farmers that had AQUs will be able to re-register as 'rearing' Approved Finishing Units (AFU) and rear calves from infected herd for slaughter.

Furthermore, AFUs will continue to take clean cattle from infected farms for fattening before slaughter, but will be "strictly monitored".

The number of areas annually TB tested will be extended to include Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Two and three-yearly testing will be extended to four-yearly testing elsewhere in England, with enhanced surveillance around TB breakdowns.

Meanwhile, the Wales TB Eradication Plan 2013, which sets out eradication policies that will be implemented during the year, has received European approval.

The plan also builds on measures contained in the Strategic Framework for Bovine TB Eradication in Wales and includes data on the epidemiology of bovine TB in Wales over the last five years and its targets for testing and vaccinations.

“I am delighted that the European Commission has recognised the commitment shown by Wales to eradicating this disease," said the Welsh Government environment minister, John Griffiths.

“We have a comprehensive range of measures in place to deal with bovine TB. This includes tackling the disease in wildlife, increased TB testing and improving biosecurity.”

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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.