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Defra extends badger cull consultation
The constulation has been extended by three weeks.
The government wants to keep culling as an option in fight against bTB.

A public consultation on retaining badger culling as part of the government’s bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication strategy for England has been extended by three weeks.

Originally due to end on 22 April 2024, the consultation will now close on 13 May 2024. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says that it has extended the deadline in order to give people more time to reply.

The proposals would see badger culling kept as an option in areas where there are high levels of cattle infections and evidence suggesting that badgers are playing a role in spreading the disease. The culls would be reviewed annually by the UK’s chief veterinary officer.

The proposals also include plans to extend badger vaccination programmes, including in areas where badger culling has ended. The government aims to eradicate bTB in England by 2038.

Lawyers representing the animal welfare organisations Badger Trust and Wild Justice recently wrote to Defra arguing that the consultation is unlawful due to omissions in the consultation materials provided. Defra has responded directly to the letter.

Badger Trust has claimed the extension to the consultation is a result of their actions.

Peter Hambly, executive director of Badger Trust, said: “Extending the response time for a flawed consultation is a start, and it wouldn’t have happened without the challenge by Badger Trust and Wild Justice.”

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk