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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th June 2011
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Freedom from Bluetongue announced
Jim Paice
Agriculture Minister Jim Paice announced today that restrictions on exporting sheep and cattle from Great Britain due to bluetongue disease, will be lifted.

The restrictions were imposed in 2007, following the first cases of bluetongue in Great Britain.

Mr Paice said:
“This is great news for farmers – and it’s an achievement by farmers too. This is the result of a strong and successful partnership between government, farmers and vets to eradicate this serious disease.

“Our new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England is building on this partnership approach to create a better way to tackle animal diseases.  There have been no new cases of bluetongue in Britain for two years, but farmers and vets need to remain vigilant and continue to be careful of animals they import.”

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the announcement that Great Britain is to be declared bluetongue (BTV8) free on 5th July.
 
Defra has announced that Bluetongue-free status will mean that animals exported from GB to bluetongue-free countries will not require vaccination or have to meet any other bluetongue requirements.
 
However, the current EU Bluetongue Directive only allows bluetongue vaccination within a protection zone. From 5th July vaccination will no longer be permitted in GB. The BVA is supporting Defra to lobby for these rules to be changed to allow vaccination in bluetongue areas.
 
Commenting, Harvey Locke, BVA President, said:
 
“The move to bluetongue freedom is thanks to the excellent partnership between government, farmers and vets across Great Britain. It is a tremendous achievement to turn the situation around from the outbreak in 2007 to freedom in 2011.
 
“We are disappointed that changes to the EU Directive to allow vaccination to continue could not be made before the deadline and we will continue to work with Defra to try to secure this change as soon as possible to allow vets and farmers to make the right choice to protect their herds.
 
“Those farmers and vets that wish to vaccinate must do so before the 5th July.
 
“The BVA would reiterate the message to farmers to source stock responsibly to help avoid a future outbreak.”

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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.