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Persistent bTB herds to benefit from new approach
Image cows
The new approach aims to boost support for farmers working toward OTF status.
AHVLA to provide enhanced management to support farmers

The AHVLA has announced that herds suffering long-term bovine TB (bTB) breakdowns in England and Wales will now be considered for a more tailored and hands-on management approach.

As of February 3, enhanced case management procedures became available for herd owners seeing breakdowns lasting longer than 18 months.

The move is aimed at helping farmers to regain their officially TB-free (OTF) status as quickly as possible, whilst lowering the risk of future breakdowns. This follows feedback from stakeholders that a more proactive approach was needed.

Each case will be assigned AHVLA veterinary officers, who will consider a number of factors when determining a suitable management approach.

Herds may be selected for enhanced case management based on several issues, including the length of breakdown, number of reactors and compensation costs, results of post mortem examinations and herd size and dynamics, including movement volumes.

According to the AHVLA, official veterinarians will be consulted for local knowledge and herd health problems that may be of importance. In addition, they will be invited to an on-farm meeting, for which they will receive payment.

The agency says the changes aim to boost support for farmers working toward OTF status, to identify and deal with the cause of persistent infection and to gain knowledge to improve the management of future breakdowns.

The new management approach will be assessed using farmer questionnaires, internal case review, pairing herds for epidemiological comparison and quantitative measures (particularly to determine cost savings).

For further information, view the AHVLA website.

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."