Scientists investigate origin of isolated BSE cases
The European response to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) after the crisis of the 1980s has significantly reduced prevalence of the disease in cattle. However, isolated cases are still being reported in the EU and for this reason the European Commission asked EFSA to investigate their origin. The key measure for controlling BSE in the EU […]
New test to detect antibiotic resistance in dairy cows
A new Bayer initiative that involves the testing of bulk milk supply for antibiotic resistance will allow farmers to more effectively treat mastitis in New Zealand. Known as Dairy Antibiogram, the test will allow veterinarians to determine if antibiotic resistance to a mastitis treatment is present on a farm. If resistant bacteria are present, then […]
TB testing penalties immoral and increasing health and safety risks
The Cross Compliance penalty regime for bovine TB tests have been branded ‘immoral’ by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, which says the penalties add significantly to the health and safety risks of testing cattle. From January 1, 2015, tiered cross compliance penalties for late TB testing have seen cattle keepers receive financial penalties in relation […]
Minister confirms Government looking at innovative options to improve farm animal welfare post Brexit
A commons debate about farm animal welfare post-Brexit saw the Government confirm leaving the EU offers an opportunity to improve welfare standards in areas such as slaughter, farm support systems and labelling During the debate held on Tuesday (24 Jan), the Government made explicit and detailed comments about how they saw post-Brexit farming evolve. The […]
Noble Foods and Cranswick Show global leadership on farm animal welfare
British companies, Noble Foods and Cranswick lead the producer sector, not just in the UK but globally when it comes to managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices, according to the global Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report published today (23 January 2017). Noble Foods retained its position in the […]
FUW rejects TB regionalisation approach for Wales
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has rejected proposals to split Wales into five bovine TB regions in its response to a Welsh Government consultation, highlighting the need to tackle the disease in badger populations. The Welsh Government proposes splitting Wales into two high, two intermediate and one low TB level regions, with different rules applying […]
New approach to mastitis ‘almost halves’ farmer’s antibiotic costs
At a recent event hosted on Bryn Jones’ farm near Oswestry local farmers heard how AHDB Dairy’s Mastitis Control Plan had helped him to significantly reduce the rate of new clinical mastitis cases and reduce antibiotic use across his 800-cow herd, delivering annual savings of around £57,000. This downward trend is encouraging as the livestock […]
Vets welcome Northern Ireland’s bovine TB eradication strategy
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and BVA Northern Ireland branch today welcomed the launch of the TB Strategic Partnership Group’s (TBSPG) long-term strategy document on bovine TB (bTB) eradication and Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen’s announcement that she will carefully consider the recommendations with a view to consulting on the proposed approach in early 2017. Seamus […]
Leading vet campaigns for radical rethink in parasite control
It’s a fact – according to the World Health Organization – more than two billion people are infected with parasitic worms, including tens of millions of young children and pregnant women. In the UK alone, it is estimated that up to 40 per cent of children under the age of 10 may be affected by […]
