Poultry producers urged to remain vigilant
Poultry producers have been urged to remain vigilant following a case of avian influenza discovered at a duck farm in Yorkshire, the NFU said today. The call comes as the NFU continues its work with Government and the wider industry to minimise the impacts of the confirmed H5N8 strain, which poses a low risk to […]
Draft National Johne’s Management Programme for Dairy Cattle launched in Worcester
The Action Group on Johne’s launched today a draft National Johne’s Management Programme at a conference hosted by Dairy UK and DairyCo. The objective of the plan is to manage and then reduce the incidence of Johne’s disease in dairy cattle and engage dairy farmers in Great Britain in credible and robust Johne’s management activities. […]
TGAC leads research to help identify animal-to-human transmitted diseases
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) will lead research into the development of bioinformatics to support the identification and characterisation of viruses through metagenomics. The BBSRC-funded research, led by TGAC’s Dr Richard Leggett, aims to develop computational algorithms that can accurately assemble viral genomes contained within metagenomic samples. These microbial samples pose a challenge to researchers […]
FUW welcomes retention of TB compensation system
The Farmers’ Union of Wales today welcomed deputy farming and food minister Rebecca Evans’ announcement that Welsh TB compensation rates for compulsorily purchased cattle will continue to use the current valuation system. Earlier this year, the FUW responded to a Welsh Government consultation on TB compensation rates in Wales by vociferously objecting to any move […]
Badger Trust legal challenge over monitoring of badger cull to be heard by Court of Appeal
The Badger Trust will take its legal challenge over the lack of independent monitoring of the badger culls currently being undertaken in Somerset and Gloucestershire to the Court of Appeal on Thursday 9 October. This follows a hearing on 11 September where the Vice President of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal agreed that […]
BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS) to stay until 2015
It has been confirmed that the BPEX Pig Health Scheme (BPHS) will be operating in abattoirs until summer 2015. However, the review of the carcase data reporting system is ongoing and work is progressing on a transition to an alternative system. Emma Bailey-Beech, BPEX Health information and Food Safety Coordinator, explains there are currently two […]
Farmer Survey shows need for more advice on BVD
Results from the Farming Against BVD survey were presented by an independent expert panel at Novartis Animal Health headquarters on 18th September 2014, giving valuable insight into dairy and beef farmers current practices, attitudes and understanding of BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea). With 301 dairy and beef farmers questioned from every region of England and Wales, […]
English pig industry introduces confidential reporting service
To help maintain high standards of animal welfare on British pig farms, the National Pig Association is introducing a Confidential Reporting Service. The service will also protect pig-keepers from bogus claims by vegan activists who periodically attempt to gain unauthorised entry to pig buildings. It places an obligation on everyone employed on, or visiting, a […]
TB Edge Vaccination Scheme announced
Bill Harper of the NBA TB Committee has given a guarded welcome to the recently announced Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme (BEVS). The scheme which was announced by Gavin Ross, Head of TB Programme for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is designed to aid in the control of endemic TB in the […]
