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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th June 2012
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Badger vaccination underway
Welsh Environment Minister confirms developments

John Griffiths, the Welsh Government’s Environment Minister, has confirmed that badger vaccination in North Pembrokeshire is underway, following his announcement in March of plans to embark on a badger vaccination programme within the Intensive Action Area in order to eradicate bovine TB in Wales.

Monday saw the vaccination programme officially begin in West Wales, it will continue throughout the summer and into early autumn. Over 275 badgers have been successfully trapped and vaccinated against TB so far. This is the first time that a project to cage trap and vaccinate badgers on such a scale has been undertaken.

The programme concentrates its efforts in the Intensive Action Area, primarily located in north Pembrokeshire, but includes small parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. It covers approximately 288 square kilometres.

Mr Griffiths explained: “Our decision to pursue a vaccination programme has enabled us to take quick and decisive action aimed at developing a degree of immunity to TB within the badger population. We believe that this will reduce the risk of TB transmission from badgers to cattle.”

He concluded: “I would like to thank farmers and landowners for their co-operation. We will be monitoring the results of vaccination, and of our whole eradication programme, carefully to ensure we are making good progress towards our ultimate goal of a TB-free Wales.”

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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.