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Badger cull challenge approved
Case likely to be heard in June

The decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to permit the culling of badgers in a pilot programme this autumn is to be subject to a judicial review in the High Court after a challenge was brought by the Badger Trust. Mr Justice Irwin informed the Trust that permission has been granted for the review to take place on all three of the grounds submitted in the Trust's original request.

Commenting, the Badger Trust’s solicitor (Gwendolen Morgan of Bindmans LLP) said “We are pleased that the court has given the Badger Trust’s challenge the green light on all three grounds. The badger cull as proposed would make matters worse at great cost to farmers, badgers and rural communities.”

Also commenting, National Farmer's Union (NFU)President Peter Kendall said “We hope that the hearing will be expedited. No other country in the world has ever tackled TB successfully without also controlling TB in its wildlife reservoir”, adding that “The NFU fully supports the two badger control pilots areas as part of the Government’s science-led policy to tackle what is a terrible and damaging disease. We all want to see a healthy countryside and that needs healthy badgers and healthy cattle.”

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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.