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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Senior medics call on government to immediately ban the routine use of antibiotics in UK farming
In an unprecedented move, fifteen senior medics have written to the UK government calling for urgent action to tackle the routine misuse of antibiotics in UK farming. Signatories to the letter, which was published today in The Telegraph to coincide with World Antibiotic Awareness Week, include the President of the Royal Society of Medicine – […]
Big data analysis shows weak link between badgers and cattle for TB transmission
The largest simulation to date of the numbers of cattle and badgers infected with tuberculosis (TB) casts serious doubts about the extent to which badgers cause TB in cattle, according to research from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Using a mathematical model that combines a huge number of cattle and badgers that have TB, […]
Bovine TB will cost us trade deals with Europe, FUW reminds AMs
The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding all Assembly Members that the current levels of Bovine TB in Wales will cost us trade deals with Europe if there is no change in policy. The Union welcomes the call for a debate on the eradication of bovine TB in cattle and wildlife at the National Assembly […]
