Scientists to tackle burden of cattle disease on UK farms
Researchers from the University of Liverpool are leading a new campaign to tackle a disease in cattle that costs the UK economy £300m each year. The £1 million project will look at how to improve the detection and control of liver fluke, a disease that is transmitted by the dwarf pond snail and is found […]
Receding flood waters pose new dangers to animals, warn vets
Vets at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) are warning animal owners in flood-stricken areas to be aware of the new dangers posed by receding flood waters. The water, which has flooded homes and land across the UK, is finally beginning to subside but vets are warning that the danger to pets and livestock remains. In […]
Foot-and-mouth anniversary highlights the risks of feeding swill to pigs
The reminder comes in the same week that African swine fever, another serious notifiable disease, is reported in Poland, carried across the border from Belarus by a wild boar, and putting the European Union commercial pig industry at increased risk of infection. Foot-and-mouth was confirmed on February 20 at an Essex abattoir, in swill-fed pigs […]
Keep vigilant against swine dysentery
At this time of year, the risk of dysentery is high and cases have been found in Yorkshire. “The disease can spread rapidly both within and between units, particularly in the current cold, wet conditions,” warns BPEX’s interim veterinary programme manager, Helen Clarke. “With such an economically damaging infection, it is imperative any suspected symptoms […]
The £7m Badger Cull – shock figures reveal each dead badger cost £4000+
Culling badgers in England during 2013 cost £7.3million, according to official sources and FOI requests – which works out at £4121 per dead badger. Wildlife charity Care for the Wild has pieced together the costs of the cull from various sources to come up with the ‘final reckoning’ of the cull, which dramatically failed to […]
NADIS January Parasite Forecast
Weight loss and reduced performance due to liver fluke disease in housed and out-wintered beef cattle is likely to be reaching peak levels in the New Year, according to the January NADIS Parasite Forecast, sponsored by Merial Animal Health. “Information on liver fluke damage should be requested from slaughterhouses to give an indication of the […]
Nominations now open for coveted Animal Welfare Awards
Now in its third year, the awards recognise volunteers, charity workers and veterinary professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting and improving animal welfare around the world. Historically, the awards have recognised welfare in companion animals, but with the addition of the new Farm Animal Welfare Award, with support from the National Animal Disease […]
George calls for badger cull to be scrapped
Mr George who strongly argues in favour of ‘evidence-based policy making’, pointed out that he had supported the randomised badger control trials (RBCT) which commenced in 1998 and which included a much-disputed controversial pro-active cull of badgers in the Penwith area of his own constituency because he argued that the experiment was necessary to provide […]
Whisper it quietly, Defra: TB cattle slaughter rates down by nearly 10% on 2012
From the start of this year, under pressure from the European Commission, the Government has forced farmers to tighten down on biosecurity controls, cattle movements and TB testing. As a result, we have seen a steady decline in the rates of TB in cattle compared to the same period in 2012. Comparing the latest DEFRA […]
