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Call for new independent body on bTB control
The report warns the livestock industry must take more responsibility for on-farm controls.
Review of the government’s bovine TB strategy published

A review of the government’s 25-year Bovine TB Strategy has called for a new independent body on disease control.

The report warns the livestock industry must take more responsibility for on-farm controls, biosecurity and safe trading practices to prevent further spread of the disease.

It also states that more could be done to help farmers make purchasing decisions, reflecting the risks of cattle being infected.

The review was led by population biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society Sir Charles Godfrey. Commissioned by  environment secretary Michael Gove, it aims to inform future strategies around the government’s goal of eradicating the disease by 2038.

Ministers are considering the report’s recommendations and are expected to publish a response in due course.

Commenting, Farming minister George Eustice said: “We welcome this review of the Government’s 25-year Bovine TB strategy and I extend my thanks to Sir Charles Godfray and his team for their hard work in producing the report.

“As a Government, we are committed to eradicating bTB and have always been clear that there is no single measure for tackling it. That’s why we have pursued a range of interventions, including cattle movement controls, vaccinations and controlled culling in certain areas.

“Sir Charles’ report is an important contribution that will inform next steps in the strategy to achieve officially TB free status for England by 2038.”

A new independent body on disease control would be helpful to take over disease control operations from APHA, Natural England and local authorities, the report says. It also notes that the poor take-up of on-farm biosecurity measures is ‘severely hampering’ disease control measures and calls on the livestock industry to take more ownership of the problem.

Sir Charles Godfrey said: “The Review Panel are acutely aware of the burden this disease places on the welfare and well-being of farmers and their families, and the distress many people feel about badger culling.

“There are no easy answers to reducing disease levels and what is required is new drive and a concerted and concentrated effort by all sectors involved.”

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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.