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Animal Health Trust warns of 'imminent closure'
The Animal Health Trust is the leading veterinary and scientific research charity.

Trustees and executives seeking emergency funding

The Animal Health Trust has announced that it will be closing 'imminently' unless emergency funding can be found.

In a statement, the charity said the announcement follows a period of 'dire financial constraint' and the economic impact of COVID-19 - both of which have had a direct effect on funding.

The charity said that it is continuing to seek emergency funds, including the potential use of  government schemes – but without urgent input is likely to close 'at the end of this month'.

Established in 1942, the Animal Health Trust is the leading veterinary and scientific research charity dedicated to the health and welfare of animals. The organisation employs more than 250 people, including vets, nurses, scientists and support staff.

The full statement, in full, is as follows:

'We are devastated to announce that following a period of dire financial constraints, and now with the economic implications of Covid-19 having a direct effect on funding, our charity is facing imminent closure.

The Animal Health Trust has been in existence for more than 75 years and makes a significant difference to the health and welfare of animals.

Much of the work we do is unique, and without us, this work will cease, putting thousands of animals at risk from disease and injury.

The Trustees and Executive Committee continue to seek emergency funding, including the potential use of recently announced Government Schemes, in order to save the unparalleled knowledge and expertise the organisation houses, but without an urgent input of significant funds the charity is likely to close at the end of this month.

We are working with our 257 members of staff to support them through this difficult time.

Further updates will be available in due course'.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.