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Wales launch slaughter consultation
Maintaining welfare standards at slaughter

The Welsh Government have launched a six-week consultation on how to maintain animal welfare standards at the time of slaughter.

The consultation comes in preparation of new minimum European standards for the treatment of animals at the time of their killing, set to come into force on 1 January 2013.

The Welsh Government said it wants to ensure the new standards (EU Regulation 1099/2099) do not result in a lowering of welfare standards for animals slaughtered in Wales.

John Griffiths, Wales' Environment Minister who launched the consultation, said: "Wales has a strong record in animal welfare, and while we welcome the EU Regulation, we are keen to ensure the best welfare standards are achieved at the time of slaughter here."

He added: “These are emotive issues for a range of groups so I would urge anyone with an interest to feed into the consultation.”

Click here to access the consultation.

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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.