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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd June 2021
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New contracts for Veterinary Delivery Partners awarded
In addition to TB testing, the new contracts broaden the range of veterinary and technical services provided for.
TB testing in England and Wales to be delivered under new APHA contracts.

Statutory tuberculosis testing and other government veterinary services in England and Wales will be delivered under new Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) contracts for Defra and Welsh government from 1 June 2021.

Since 2015, Regional Veterinary Delivery Partners (VDP) have been providing services on behalf of APHA for Defra and Welsh Government, and it is expected that there will be a seamless transition with the new contracts awarded to an existing VDP following an open tender in autumn 2020. These new contracts will at run initially until 2024. 

Out of the six VDP regions, four are in England, and two in Wales, and from 1 June, any and all new instructions for work are being allocated to the VDP responsible for delivery under the new contracts. VDPs are also required to work with all the qualifying veterinary business which operate within their geographical region. 

As such, a keeper's own veterinary practice will deliver services wherever that is possible, and this acknowledges the importance of and impact that local veterinary professionals have on disease prevention and control in England and Wales. 

Alongside the official veterinary surgeons, TB testing in England can be carried out by Approved Tuberculin Testers authorised by APHA, as set out under the new contracts. 

The new contracts do not only set out the TB testing delivery, but also broaden the range of veterinary and technical services which are provided, including functions to compliment APHA's work in the exotic disease control field and the welfare of farmed animals. 

Notably, the new contracts aim to further strengthen the quality assurance through enhanced audit and performance management procedures. 

Christine Middlemiss, the UK chief veterinary officer, said: “These new contracts focus rightly on further strengthening the quality assurance of services delivered by our Veterinary Delivery Partners. The VDP contracts are an essential part of delivering our TB disease control policy in England.”

The regional Veterinary Delivery Partners from 1 June are:
  • North Wales: Menter a Busnes
  • South Wales: lechyd Da (Gwledig) Ltd
  • Devon and Cornwall: Farmcare Devon & Cornwall Ltd
  • Western England: Farmcare West Ltd
  • South and Eastern England: Farmcare Central Ltd
  • Northern England: Farmcare North Ltd.
APHA will continue to send the tuberculosis test notice letters, which inform the keeper which VDP supplier is responsible for delivering the test, but it remains the keeper's responsibility to arrange the TB testing, and they should continue to contact their usual veterinary practice to make the arrangements. 

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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.