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TB control plans for 2013
England and Wales continue to target TB

The European Commission has approved the Wales TB (tuberculosis) Eradication Plan 2013, and from January 1, 2013, major TB rule changes will come into place for cattle farmers in England.

Among the rule changes, the current parish system for TB testing will be replaced with a country-wide system.

Further changes in England include reducing the window for moving cattle from TB restricted herds after their last negative TB skin test from 60 to 30 days, and only permitting the restocking of Officially TB Free status suspended (OTFS) herd after its first post-breakdown test and a satisfactory veterinary risk assessment.

Also from 2013, Approved Quarantine Units (AQU) will no longer be able to restock, but those farmers that had AQUs will be able to re-register as 'rearing' Approved Finishing Units (AFU) and rear calves from infected herd for slaughter.

Furthermore, AFUs will continue to take clean cattle from infected farms for fattening before slaughter, but will be "strictly monitored".

The number of areas annually TB tested will be extended to include Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Two and three-yearly testing will be extended to four-yearly testing elsewhere in England, with enhanced surveillance around TB breakdowns.

Meanwhile, the Wales TB Eradication Plan 2013, which sets out eradication policies that will be implemented during the year, has received European approval.

The plan also builds on measures contained in the Strategic Framework for Bovine TB Eradication in Wales and includes data on the epidemiology of bovine TB in Wales over the last five years and its targets for testing and vaccinations.

“I am delighted that the European Commission has recognised the commitment shown by Wales to eradicating this disease," said the Welsh Government environment minister, John Griffiths.

“We have a comprehensive range of measures in place to deal with bovine TB. This includes tackling the disease in wildlife, increased TB testing and improving biosecurity.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.