£6m funding to improve UK livestock health
Funding for eight projects that aim to improve the health of livestock within the UK has been announced by the Animal Health Research Club (ARC). The club, whose members include Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and other industry organisations, has allocated over £6 million in the second round of funding. In total, £10.8 million […]
Environmental stress triggers costly pig disease without secondary infections
Stress makes pigs more likely to suffer from a disease which costs farmers in the UK millions of pounds a year in attempts to control, scientists have shown for the first time. The findings from a study at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) could influence the conditions that pig herds are kept in to reduce […]
Research aims to address genetic pre-disposition to lameness in pigs
A team led by researchers at Newcastle University in the UK has begun a project to identify biological and behavioural markers that can be used to detect genetic pre-disposition to degenerative joint disease that causes pain and lameness in pigs. Lameness is a serious animal welfare and economic problem in commercial pig farming which has […]
Big rollout planned for badger jab project
The MP who instigated the first community led badger vaccination programme in the UK, Andrew George, heralded the first pilot year of the badger vaccination programme in West Cornwall a great success. Mr George initiated the badger vaccination project in partnership with the Zoological Society of London last year, Mr George and ZSL’s Professor Rosie […]
Research helps with Glässers diagnosis
The accurate diagnosis of Haemophilus parasuis is set to be significantly improved due to a new molecular diagnostic tool, which will improve the ability to predict an outbreak of Glässers disease, and enable targeted treatment. “This is important progress for the industry as Glässers disease, caused by H. parasuis, has a significant economic impact through […]
Statement about LA-MRSA in piglets in eastern England
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) have issued a statement about the isolation of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) from piglets in eastern England as reported in the Veterinary Record (http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/176/6/151.3.extract). The joint statement by the BVA and PVS reads: “While there is no official requirement to test for MRSA, the […]
FUW welcomes private vet involvement in TB testing
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed deputy farming and food minister Rebecca Evans’ announcement that private vets will remain at the heart of TB testing procedures in Wales. Two “Delivery Partners” have successfully tendered for TB testing in Wales – Menter a Busnes in North Wales and Iechyd Da (Gwledig) Ltd in South Wales. […]
Testing for Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) is more effective than badger culls at controlling the disease
Modelling produced by researchers at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) has found that the only effective potential Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) control strategies are badger culling, cattle testing, controlling cattle movement, and ceasing the practice of housing farm cattle together during winter. The modelling found that in a region containing about 1.5m cows of which […]
Evidence stacks up against badger cull
Continuing reductions in the rate of bovine TB (bTB) in the south west of England – outside the badger cull zones – have been revealed, alongside a bombshell from Defra’s Chief Scientist who admitted this week that research says only 6% of new bTB outbreaks come directly from badgers. At a TB conference hosted by […]
