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Defra plans to continue bTB badger culls
The effectiveness of culling badgers to eradicate bTB has been the subject of much debate.
A consultation on new proposals has been launched.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set out proposals for the next phase of its bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication strategy for England, including plans to continue with the controversial policy of badger culling.

Part of its strategy to eradicate bTB in England by 2038, Defra’s new proposals will keep badger culling as an option in the High-Risk Area and Edge Areas where there are high levels of bTB infection in cattle and where badgers are considered to be involved in spreading the disease to herds.

The proposals would also end fixed-duration culls, allowing them to continue for as long as is deemed necessary by the UK’s chief veterinary officer, followed by badger vaccination.

According to government figures, in the 12 months to September 2023, the number of new bTB breakdowns in cattle fell to an almost 20-year low. Recent research, funded by Defra, showed that in the first 52 areas where badger culls have been carried out, there had been an average 56 per cent drop in rates of bTB breakdowns in cattle after four years of culling.

However, the success of badger culling has been disputed. A study published in Vet Record last year found that badger culling did not affect herd bTB incidence or prevalence. The policy has also been opposed by some animal welfare and conservation groups.

As part of its bTB eradication strategy, Defra is also proposing that additional information about animal and herd-level bTB risk should be published to help those purchasing cattle.

A five-week consultation on the new proposals, which will close on 22 April 2024, has been launched.

Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “Our strategy to eradicate bovine TB in England is turning the tide on this disease with the lowest number of new bTB breakdowns in nearly twenty years. We are making good progress to eradicating the disease by 2038 as we have committed to do.

“The proposals set out today will ensure this downward trend continues, and all culling decisions taken under the new targeted approach will continue to be led by the very best scientific and epidemiological evidence.”

The proposals have been criticised by Badgers Trust. Peter Hambly, the charity’s executive director, said: “We urge individuals, communities, and stakeholders to work together to tackle this disease, which can only be done by accurate herd management, more rigorous reliable testing and cattle vaccination.

“The UK government appears only to listen to stakeholders with vested interests and is fixated instead on a badger-focused policy that affects all of us and our right to nature.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA survey investigates sheep worrying

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has launched its latest survey to better understand the severity of sheep worrying in the UK.

The survey will be open until Friday, 21 February 2025. UK sheep farmers are invited to share their experiences of sheep worrying by dogs and its impact on the industry.

NSA has been gathering information about sheep worrying for over 10 years as part of its campaign to raise awareness of incidents and produce new ways of educating the public.

Sheep worrying, often caused by dogs being loose near fields, can result in physical injury, miscarriage and death of animals affected.

The results of the survey will be shared with interested parties, including the UK press, before spring and ahead of lambing season next year.

For more information, or to complete the survey, visit NSA's website.