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Northern Ireland to consult on proposals to eradicate bovine TB
Mr Huey reports that the rates of bovine TB in Northern Ireland continue to rise.
Chief vet Robert Huey notes significant rise in incidence of the disease

A public consultation on proposals to eradicate Bovine TB (bTB) in Northern Ireland has been launched.

The consultation document comes in response to a report produced by the independent TB Strategic Partnership Group. Published in December 2016, the report made several recommendations including approaches to dealing with TB in wildlife and how to address bTB risk in the industry.

Chief veterinary officer for Northern Ireland, Robert Huey, said: “I am all too aware of the devastating impact of bovine TB right across the Northern Ireland agriculture industry. The rates of bovine TB continue to rise and latest figures show a herd incidence rate of 9.26 per cent.

“Given the significant rise in the incidence of bovine TB, the concern of the farming community and the pressure that rising bovine TB Programme costs has on our budget, the Department has decided that, in the broader public interest, we should move forward with a consultation on proposals responding to the recommendations made by TBSPG last December.”

The key proposals are:

    •    new management/partnership arrangements with a Northern Ireland Eradication Partnership Board, three sub-regional boards and ad hoc local disease teams;
    •    a number of enhancements and additions to the existing bovine TB Eradication Programme;
    •    a programme of badger removal and vaccination in targeted areas;
    •    greater emphasis and ownership by the farming industry on reducing risk through better herd health management;
    •    changes to the compensation system and the introduction of a payment for an annual herd test.

Mr Huey continued: “I would strongly encourage all those who are interested both inside and outside the farming community to read the proposals in full, as a package of measures which we believe can achieve bovine TB eradication, and respond as fully as possible to the consultation."

The consultation is now live and runs until 1 February 2018. 

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.