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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 26th June 2015
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Brucellosis testing regime to be reduced in NI
cattle
Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs.

CVO says: "We must not relax our attitude"

Northern Ireland's testing regime for brucellosis is set to be reduced ahead of schedule.

Announcing the news, agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said biennial herd testing for beef cattle will be introduced from next week (29 June).

Changes will be phased in over the next few months.

This is expected to bring significant benefits to farmers and taxpayers.

"I anticipate major savings for industry, taxpayers and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) through the gradual dismantling of the brucellosis scheme as we move forward," Ms O'Neill said.

Currently, the Brucellosis Eradication Programme costs farmers an estimated £7 million a year in compliance costs and taxpayers around £8 million a year.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease characterised by abortions. It can be transmitted to humans, with serious consequences for human health.

It has been more than three years since the last confirmed brucellosis case in Northern Ireland. An application for officially brucellosis free (OBF) status is currently with the EU Commission. Brucellosis testing will continue for five years after OBF status is granted.

While the reduced testing has been welcomed by the government and veterinary associations, the chief veterinary officer Robert Huey stressed the importance of continued compliance with biosecurity advice and testing measures.

"We must not relax our attitude to the reporting of abortions or any suspicion of brucellosis," he warned.

An isolated case of BSE was recently confirmed on a farm in County Louth. BVA president John Blackwell said this shows vets and farmers "need to be ever vigilant against the incursion of disease. Now is not the time to be lax in that vigilance."

BVA and BVA Northern Ireland branch said the early reduction in testing requirements is a testament to the hard work of vets and farmers.

"This has taken real and effective partnerships between vets, farmers and government," Mr Blackwell commented.

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.