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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 24th February 2012
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Welsh TB Eradication plan delayed again
Government sharply criticised

The Welsh Government's failure to set a date for an announcement on its Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme has drawn severe criticism. An announcement was originally promised last autumn, which was then put back to December, then again to early 2012, and an announcement is now promised for March. Rural Affairs spokesperson for Plaid Cymru Llyr Huws Gruffydd responded to the news by stating that the Welsh farming sector would not be “holding its breath”.

“Less than 12 months ago each member of today’s Cabinet voted in favour of a badger cull as part of a package of measures to get to grips with bTB and no new evidence has been presented to justify a change in policy. If John Griffiths, the Environment Minister, reneges on that agreement with Welsh farmers then I fear the relationship between the government and the industry will hit an all-time low.” he added.

Antoinette Sandbach, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, also criticised the additional delay. “This Government is stretching farmers’ patience to breaking point. Farmers’ livelihoods are on the line, yet the Government is dragging its heels. Welsh Labour repeatedly voted in favour of the eradication policy in the last Assembly, yet it now appears unwilling to take the tough but necessary decisions to tackle this disease.” she said.

Approximately 700 Welsh cattle are slaughtered each month due to bTB.

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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.