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Kennel Club appoints new genetics research manager
Dr Joanna J. Ilska (pictured) has worked as a quantitative geneticist for a number of years.

Dr Joanna J. Ilska specialises in prediction of breeding values for complex traits.

The Kennel Club has announced that quantitative geneticist Dr Joanna J. Ilska has joined the organisation as its new genetics research manager. She replaces Dr Tom Lewis who has moved on to work with Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Joanna was born in Poland and has lived in the UK for 15 years. In 2008, she completed a BSc in Applied Biosciences (Animal Science). She then achieved a Masters in Quantitative Genetics and Genome Analysis at the University of Edinburgh in 2009.

In 2014 she completed her PhD in genomic prediction of breeding values in broiler chickens at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh. She then went on to work as a research fellow on a range of projects. She specialises in the prediction of breeding values for complex traits, using large scale genomic data such as whole genome sequences.

Currently, Joanna lives in Edinburgh with another Russian black terrier. She has a keen interest in obedience and nosework and was even part of a team representing Scotland in the Inter-regional Obedience competition at Crufts 2013.

Bill Lambert, head of health and welfare at The Kennel Club, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joanna to The Kennel Club.

“With her academic and professional background in quantitative genetics and knowledge of prediction of breeding values for complex traits, coupled with her hands-on involvement as a pedigree dog owner, we feel confident that Joanna will be a great asset to The Kennel Club as well as to the wider dog world.”

Image (c) The Kennel Club.

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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.