IVSA UK & Ireland Veterinary Public Health Newsletter October 2014, issue no. 3 President-elect of BVA calls for end of non-stun slaughter starting off a massive petition. DEFRA responds and the petition is unsuccessful. African Swine Fever cases detected in wild boar in Poland , Estonia , Lithuania and Latvia , will it affect the UK? Polish Agricultural Minister quits following confirmed cases of ASF and farmers take to protests in light of no decisive actions. How do we prevent ASF in the UK? DEFRA responds with a new control plan. Changes in meat inspections see potential increase in affected carcasses being passed through to the food chain. FSA introduces changes to Trichinella testing in the UK: housed pigs no longer tested. The Food’s Standard Agency plans to publish more results of its Campylobacter survey of poultry in supermarkets. Meat Ewe’ve goat to be kidding! First goat/sheep cross lamb born! Tesco uses a picture of beef cattle in national milk FUNNY ROOM After multiple protests, High Court hearings and challenges by the Badger Trust , further badger culling was resumed in Somerset and Gloucestershire on the 8th of September. The Labour party has responded claiming to abandon the cull if it wins next year’s elections and concerns over inhumane killing have arised again after Secret World Wildlife Rescue examined a shot badger. In the meantime the Government has announced a launch of a badger vaccination scheme outside of bTB risk areas. Welsh Governement considers setting up of a new marketing body to combat further drop in milk prices. Is Russia to blame for the recent fall in global milk prices? Outbreak of Botulism kills over 70 cows on a Welsh farm — source linked to a contaminated carcase. Effectiveness of badger vaccinations questioned after multiple farms tested positive for TB. Average price of milk reported as 30p per litre: more farmer protests announced at the Bath and West Showground Dairy Show. BBC NEWS Google Dairy