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Vets draw on behavioural science to tackle bovine TB
"For the first time, we're calling for behavioural science to be front and centre in the approach to bTB research and control" - BVA.
BVA report sets out a holistic approach to bTB control and eradication. 

A new report published by the BVA has set out a new, holistic approach to tackling bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

Developed by an expert working group, the report makes 25 recommendations to guide vets, farmers, and government in bTB control and eradication. At its core is the application of behavioural science, recognising that the actions of vets and farmers are key to successful disease control programmes.

The recommendations include:

  • setting up a framework for earned recognition to reward good biosecurity
  • enhancing data sharing to support knowledge-based livestock trading and good decision-making on farm
  • securing long-term funding for dedicated bTB advisory services
  • simplifying and prioritising research priorities
  • introducing systems to allow greater data sharing between government vets and private vets
  • ensuring continued cooperation and collaboration on bTB between the four UK governments after Brexit.

BVA junior vice president James Russell said the debate around bTB has been 'unhelpfully characterised' in terms of cattle versus badgers. He added that the debate misses the complex issues behind the disease, such as human behaviour and how it can impact decisions.

“For the first time, we’re calling for behavioural science to be front and centre in the approach to bTB research and control,” he said. “This means rewarding good biosecurity practices, providing vets and farmers with the tools and data they need to make evidence-based decisions, and recognising the human impact of this devastating disease.

BVA’s new bTB policy position also identifies five key research priorities for the next five years, including a better understanding of the effects of badger vaccination on the incidence of bTB in cattle and evidence to establish the role of cattle faeces in disease transmission.

The top research goal – the development and validation of a cattle vaccine and DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) test was given a boost last week (23 July) when Defra, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government announced that cattle vaccination trials would soon get underway in England and Wales.

Mr Russell added: “The deployment of a viable cattle vaccine used in combination with a validated DIVA test has the potential to be an absolute game-changer in our efforts to control and eradicate bovine tuberculosis and is something that our own expert bTB working group has identified as a key priority.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.