FUW highlights need for greater BVD awareness
The questionnaire process captured information about thousands of cattle from across Wales and demonstrated that almost half of the farmers surveyed had a farm health plan which included BVD. “However, more needs to be done to raise awareness of the economic impacts and welfare issues caused by this virus,” said FUW senior policy officer Hazel […]
Subsidised diagnostic service for barren ewes
At a time when many sheep producers are asking for veterinary diagnostic support to confirm or rule out potential Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection, it makes sense to investigate whether other diseases are present in the flock at the same time. Barren EweCheck – the diagnostic scheme supported by MSD Animal Health – is available from […]
MEP accuses the EU of ‘gesture politics’ on welfare of animals during transport
Mr Agnew said: “We already have adequate legislation on animal welfare. What’s missing is enforcement of current rules. In the UK, we have two inspection bodies; the RSPCA and Trading Standards. They will frequently be present at markets and abattoirs where lorries full of livestock are being unloaded.” He went to describe the stringent inspections […]
RUMA seeks balanced debate on use of antimicrobials in animals
RUMA does not agree that such a step is warranted and is concerned that in some cases such a move could have negative outcomes for poultry health and welfare. RUMA Secretary General John FitzGerald said “there is much debate in many scientific and regulatory circles on how to manage the risk of antimicrobial resistance in […]
MP proposes badger vaccination programme for West Cornwall
West Cornwall had been identified by the Government as the origins of the growth of bovine tuberculosis across the British cattle herd and which is still most prevalent in the west of the country. Mr George had supported the previous Government’s trial which included the proactive culling of badgers over a decade ago and has, […]
Badger cull to proceed next year
The request follows new survey results which revealed higher than anticipated badger numbers in the two pilot areas. Following a thorough assessment of their current capability, the NFU this morning informed Defra that in light of these new figures they could not be confident of removing the required minimum 70 per cent of the badgers […]
Devon Young Farmer heads to New Zealand to learn about sheep farming down under
Chris Berry, who is a partner in his family’s 440 acre beef, sheep and arable farm near Exeter, will work on two different stations and gain experience about New Zealand farming methods. His trip begins at the Mendip Hills Station, at Cheviot, north of Christchurch which is a 6,100 hectare farm with 4,000 head of […]
Delight at news that the badger cull has been put on hold
This follows growing public, scientific and political opposition to the plans to shoot badgers. A record number of signatures were gathered against the cull in the Number 10 e-petition in just two weeks. This number has now grown to nearly 160,000 and has prompted a full debate on the floor of the House of Commons […]
MP debate on TB will help to explain science behind badger culls
The debate, which has been triggered by a public e-petition asking for further discussions on the current government policy to eradicate bovine TB, will take place on Thursday October 25 2012. NFU President Peter Kendall said that the parliamentary debate offers a fresh opportunity for the science to be fully explained and for any misinformation […]
