Animal Health News

Defra has issued a statement in regard to an “inaccurate media coverage” of foot and mouth disease (FMD) controls with reports that it took six or seven days to implement Defra’s restrictions on German imports.

A recent survey of over 100 sheep producers has highlighted that 58% of respondents will consider feeding milk replacer cold to surplus lambs this season and view the method as a viable alternative to feeding warm milk during the busy lambing period.

In response to increased findings of highly pathogenic bird flu in wild birds as well as new cases in poultry and kept birds, coupled with heightened risk levels, the avian influenza housing measures are being extended to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of the disease.

Defra has been requested to provide a timeline of response to the report of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Germany. The Efra committee heard in evidence that a government IT system took six to seven days to implement Defra’s restrictions on German imports.

A case of bluetongue serotype 12 was confirmed in England in a single cow in the restricted zone in Kent. This is the first time the serotype has been detected in the UK.

Experts shared their advice for optimising calf health through vaccination and housing space during a recent Teagasc webinar.

SCOPS and COWS have offered advice on using the very limited number of products available for treating liver fluke.

Welsh poultry farmers urged not to be complacent as AIPZ introduced in response to the growing threat of avian flu.

Beef and dairy farmers are being encouraged to develop calf hygiene protocols as part of efforts to prevent scours in their youngstock.

The infection was acquired on a farm, where the person had close and prolonged contact with a large number of infected birds.

Farmers reported fear, depression, sleepless nights and persistent anger, as well as a deep sense of loss of control.

The UK’s chief veterinary officer has just announced that the UK is now in the seasonally vector low period for bluetongue virus.