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BVA endorses DEFRA Task Force
Reduction of red tape praised

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced its support for the response by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to the Farming Regulation Task Force aimed at reducing the burden of red tape in the agricultural sector whilst simultaneously maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare and safeguarding the public health.

DEFRA has committed to fewer inspections for farmers who already meet high environmental and animal welfare standards ('earned recognition') and has offered a potential way forward for the removal of the controversial 6-day livestock standstill rule.

Commenting on moves towards earned recognition, BVA President Carl Padgett said “The BVA believes that in many cases the burden of regulation is outweighed by its benefits, particularly in the case of disease control. And we strongly recommended that DEFRA take a cautious approach towards deregulation. However, the BVA supports the principle of ‘earned recognition’ and the use of third-party assurance schemes where those schemes are able to address animal health and welfare and food safety issues, and are robustly audited. Vets already have a key role to play in these assurance schemes, working with their clients to systematically improve health and welfare on farm.”

Turning to the potential for removing the 6-day standstill rule for cattle, sheep and goats, Mr Padgett added that “DEFRA has put the ball in the industry’s court and it is essential that the industry comes up with robust plans for separation units if we are to see the end of the 6-day standstill rule. Any plans must offer the same level of disease protection or better, include accurate, real-time animal movement information, and provide for spot checks by the relevant authority. Vets will be in a prime position to work with farmers to facilitate the approval of separation units through the application of their epidemiological knowledge via the health planning process.”

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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.