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Omagh laboratory to remain open
sheep
"The Omagh facility is of paramount importance. Without it vast areas to the west of the province would be left without effective surveillance."
Budget cuts led to possible closure of the centre

Veterinary organisations have welcomed the news that a diagnostic laboratory in Omagh, Co Tyrone, will remain open.

The lab plays a key role in the prevention, detection and monitoring of animal diseases in Northern Ireland.

It was being considered for closure due to financial pressures on the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute. This follows similar cut-backs in surveillance facilities elsewhere in the UK.

Simon Doherty, president of the BVA's Northern Ireland branch, said: "The Omagh facility is of paramount importance. Without it vast areas to the west of the province would be left without effective surveillance."

Whilst BVA (NI) and the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association acknowledged the financial pressures facing DARD and AFBI, Mr Doherty said: "Our high-level concerns are in maintaining adequate levels of disease surveillance and investigation, diagnostic services to support a local industry with a huge export market, food safety, and the ability to protect the interests of that industry in an emergency response situation, should an epizootic disease outbreak occur."

BVA president John Blackwell also stressed the importance of maintaining adequate disease surveillance, noting: "The whole industry and wider society benefits by being in a state of readiness and preparedness for an epizootic outbreak underpinning both animal and public health."

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.