Various matters

There appear to be no strong feelings about the venue for May 2010 so Leicester will be first choice subject to cost remaining the same, and availability on the day. We could meet either on the 6th or 13th of May. The 20th seems to clash with other things, so could any of you who have a strong preference, please let me know during the next week, after which I will finalise arrangements.

TUBERCULOSIS

My local paper is the Gloucester Citizen. They have a report in their weekend edition about a research worker who is suspected of having a mycobacterial infection. That worker is engaged in researching into methods of transmission of TB at Woodchester Park, near Stroud. For those of you, probably many, who are not aware, Woodchester Park is on the Cotswold escarpment. It is owned by the National Trust, and has a badger colony, based around 12 setts, which have been the subject of TB studies for at least 35 years now, and much has been learned from the research done there.

It is a fascinating and ongoing story which I think will in time be realised as a major contribution to our knowledge of the disease. In the meantime, the possibility that a member of the team is under suspicion of having TB is unpleasant for whoever is concerned, and a timely reminder of the somewhat underplayed dangers to the human species, of Bovine TB.

The reporter on the Gloucester Citizen, Freddie Whittaker, and the editor, Ian Means are to be congratulated on a low key and very factual report, which appeared on page 4 of the paper. I must stress that the diagnosis of TB is as yet not confirmed, but things are being taken seriously to the extent that all other personnel working in the team, are being screened. We await results.

FALLEN STOCK

DEFRA need to meet a quota of 500 goats aged over 18 months to be examined for TSEs this year. They have a weekly quota of available spaces as it were, but it remains the case that ALL goats aged over 18 months who die other than for an obvious reason, should be reported to DEFRA who may or may not then accept the animal for investigation.

So far, only 200 deaths have been reported to them this year, rather a large reduction!!, and one which is not unreasonably stretching the DEFRA imagination considerably!!!!.

Please be reminded, or remind your clients of their obligation. ALL fallen goats over 18 months, unless having say a broken leg!!, should be reported to the TSE surveillance helpline on 0800 525890. Goats accepted for surveillance are collected free!!!!.

BLUETONGUE

The French Website is at last active again. They have now had as of Friday, 31 cases of BTV8 and 4 of BTV1. They point out that at this time last year the figures were, respectively, 3000, and 15!!. What is not being said is where these premises are in France, which is a pity.

There are still no reported confirmed cases of either strain in the EU except for 1 of BTV1 in Portugal.

Nick Clayton.