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Project to increase resilience of dairy industry
The N8 AgriFood programme is one of five projects being funded by the UK’s Global Food Security programme.
N8 AgriFood to look at animal health in a post-Brexit UK

A major project that aims to make the UK dairy industry more sustainable and resilient has been launched.

The N8 AgriFood programme will look at issues around environmental impact, animal health and farmer incomes in a post-Brexit UK.

Incorporating researchers from the Universities of Newcastle, Leeds and Liverpool, the project is being funded through the UK’s Global Food Security programme. It will involve collaboration with a range of stakeholders in the dairy industry, including FirstMilk.

“We are very excited about this project. It builds on the University of Liverpool’s strengths in food systems, infectious diseases and socio-economics,” said professor Diana Williams from the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health.

“We will work with dairy farmers to investigate the relationship between managing the environment and changing disease risk while improving dairy sector resilience, to maintain long-term milk supplies for consumers at reasonable prices.”

Professor Mark Reed, who is leading the project from the University of Newcastle, added: “The project is about balancing competing demands and pressures in the industry.

“We aim to explore innovative ways of making dairy systems better for the natural environment and for farmers’ livelihoods, while maintaining long-term supplies for consumers at reasonable prices, at a time of unpredictable challenges like climate change.”

The N8 AgriFood programme is one of five projects being funded by the UK’s Global Food Security programme.

The projects bring together researchers and food producers, manufacturers and retailers working in several areas; from understanding the role of phosphorus as a key nutrient in crop and livestock production to better understanding of how different landscapes affect crop-pollinating insects.

For more information about the projects, visit foodsecurity.ac.uk

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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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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.