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New guidance for animal-related businesses in Wales
Dog boarders, daycare centres and groomers are some of the organisations set to benefit from the guidance.
Guidance includes tips on the safe transportation of animals.

The Welsh Government has set out new guidance for animal-related businesses in the country to help them operate again amid the COVID-19 restrictions.

The new guidance from the Animal Welfare Network for Wales will help animal-related businesses operate while meeting Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing protocols.

Dog boarders, daycare centres and groomers are some of the many organisations set to benefit from the guidance, which includes tips on the safe transportation of animals, hygiene measures and conducting safe transactions.

It comes alongside the publication of new Animal Handover Guidance, designed to help businesses maintain social distancing when receiving or handing over animals.

“RSPCA Cymru really welcomes this new guidance - prepared by the Animal Welfare Network for Wales, which the Welsh Government refers queries to,” commented Claire Lawson, RSPCA assistant director for external relations in Wales.

“It will mean many animal-related businesses, including organisations that play a vital role in helping ensure animal welfare and care standards, can operate safely amid ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing measures and other consequences of this most challenging climate.”

She continued: “With social distancing rules anticipated to be in force for some while to come, this new guidance will help many animal-related businesses operate as safely as possible while providing - in many cases - the services that help ensure many animals are well looked after and remain an integral part of so many of our lives."

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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.