http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk Latest news from Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency en-us http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/21/schmallenberg-virus-further-update-gb-testing-results/ Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has now been identified in samples submitted from 58 farms across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Cornwall and Wiltshire. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:45:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/17/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results/ Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has now been identified in samples submitted from 52 farms across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire and Cornwall. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:45:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/14/schmallenberg-virus-update-on-gb-testing-results/ Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has now been identified in samples submitted from 40 farms in the south and east of England, across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Hertfordshire. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:45:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/07/feb-schmallenberg-virus-further-uk-testing-results/ Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has now been identified in samples submitted from 29 farms across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Hertfordshire. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:30:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/27/ending-of-licensing-of-cattle-onto-otf-w-premises-prior-to-completion-of-first-short-interval-test/ In order to regain Officially TB free (OTF) status, it is necessary for herds with OTF (Withdrawn) (OTF (W)) status to test clear at two consecutive short interval tests (SITs). Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:20:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/23/schmallenberg-virus-results-uk-testing/ We have finished the initial analysis of samples we have received as a result of our enhanced surveillance for this new disease. We have identified the Schmallenberg Virus in some of these samples and as we continue surveillance we may find further cases. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:20:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_updated_brand.htm In April 2010, VLA Scientific was launched to bring together the Agency’s broad range of commercial products and services under a new simple identity. Following the creation of AHVLA, the new AHVLA Scientific brand has been developed to continue this work. Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/12/schmallenberg-virus/ Since August 2011, both the Netherlands and Germany have reported outbreaks of a disease in cattle, with clinical signs including fever, reduced milk yield, inappetence, loss of body condition and, principally in Dutch herds, diarrhoea. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:30:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/docs/new_pr_surv_model.pdf Independent review to develop futureveterinary surveillance model Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:01:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/careers/vacancies/index.htm Health and Safety Biorisk Adviser Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/111205-New-appointments-to-the-Secretary-of-States-List-of-Zoo-Inspectors-in-England.htm New appointments to the Secretary of State’s List of Zoo Inspectors in England Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/111128Exercise-Silver-Birch-2010.htm Exercise Silver Birch 2010 : Lessons Identified – 12 Month Update Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:15:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/cph-viewer.pdf AHVLA has recently developed a new IT application, known as the ‘CPH Viewer’, which allows the Agency to better understand the spread Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/reports/rep_salm_rep10.htm This annual publication provides data on salmonella reports from livestock species in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/new_isai12.htm 8th International Symposium on Avian Influenza Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/official-vets/newsitems/news-item11.htm Adjustments are being made to routine herd testing for bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Scotland as the second anniversary of official TB freedom (OTF) is reached. Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/lab-service-review-agreement.pdf Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has announced that in future its laboratory services work will be delivered from fewer locations Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/tender-valuers.pdf An Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice has been issued seeking applications from animal and agricultural valuers to form a Framework Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/tender-vet-reserve-personnel.pdf An Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice has been issued inviting businesses to tender for a new Government Framework Agreement Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:20:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/official-vets/newsitems/news-item10.htm Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency’s (AHVLA) proposed approach to competitive tendering for TB testing services in England is now available in the form of presentation material on the OV section of the AHVLA website. Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:55:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/documents/AHVLA-awarded-funding-for%20research-pathogens.pdf The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has been awarded substantial funding to participate in a European Commission (EC) programme of work Thr, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/documents/2011-Rooker-prize-winner.pdf Dr Peter Roeder has been awarded the 2011 Rooker Prize for his lifetime contribution to veterinary science, at the AHVLA International Conference, Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/zoonotic/ The UK Zoonoses Report 2010 Mon, 09 Sep 2011 13:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/08/30/video-reduce-tb-risks/ Online training video to help farmers reduce the risks of cattle contracting TB from wildlife has been released Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/110819-proposals-competitive-tendering.htm Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is seeking views from private veterinary practioners and the farming industry on its proposed approach to competitive tendering for TB testing services in England Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/110728-licence-process-cattle.htm From 1 August 2011, livestock keepers in England and Wales can apply for a licence. Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/corp-business-plan1112.pdf AHVLA's Business Plan 2011-15 published Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/ov/e-newsletter/Jul11_OV_%20Newsletter%203%20-%20web.pdf OV newsletter is now available Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110705-AR.htm Animal Health’s Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 2010-11 has today been laid in the House of Commons library. Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_herdsure_endemic.htm Herdsure® cattle health improvement service has been granted further licences by the Cattle Health Certification Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:00:00 http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/dairyinspec From 1 July 2011, the Agency will be changing the frequency of official hygiene inspections on dairy farms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110630-Changes-to-Pet-Travel-Scheme-announced.htm Defra have announced changes to the Pet Travel Scheme, which will take effect on 1 January 2012 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110614-bluetongue-rest-lifted.htm Great Britain’s bluetongue disease status will change from its current Bluetongue 8 Low Risk Zone to that Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:30:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_bcs.htm#q8 The case control study is now complete Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:55:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110603-changes-to-AHVLA-office-locations.htm A number of AHVLA offices will relocate following Defra’s decision to reduce the size of its current property estate. Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:40:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_lamb_milk_replacer.htm AHVLA are aware that certain batches of a lamb milk replacer have recently been withdrawn Wed, 25 May 2011 11:30:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vla/vla_phd.htm The AHVLA, in conjunction with a network of top ranked academic partners, is offering PhD studentships; as advertised recently in the New Scientist. See links below for the details of the projects available. Wed, 25 May 2011 11:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/new_events.htm 27 June – 1 July 2011 at AHVLA Weybridge and the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Mon, 23 May 2011 11:00:00 http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110506-vet-director.htm Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Hall, as its new Veterinary Director. Wed, 06 May 2011 11:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_reagents_cat.htm VLA Scientific launches new interactive online catalogue for biological reagents Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:00:00 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais23.pdf Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/110331-AHVLA-News-Release-Issue-Version.pdf Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) will merge on 1 April 2011 to create the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA). Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 http://vla.defra.gov.uk/services/ser_tests.htm We have updated our test price lists and the new prices will apply to all samples received from 1 April 2011, inclusive. Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/03/31/cattle-bovine-tb/ Cattle testing positive for Bovine TB are to be DNA tagged to further strengthen controls preventing spread of the disease. Fri, 31 Mar 2011 10:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/corporate-publications.html The Animal Health Welfare Prosecution Report is available on our Animal Health Corporate Publications page. Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:20:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180311-siver-birch.htm Cattle born or reared in the UK before 1 August 1996 have had new movement restrictions placed on them as an extra precaution against meat from these older cattle entering the food chain. Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/070311-Movement-restrictions-on-older-UK-cattle-introduced.asp The evaluation report of Exercise Silver Birch, a major national exercise designed to test Government’s ability to deal with a significant outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), has been published by Animal Health. Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:17:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/070311-New-Animal-By-Products-Regulations-to-Affect-Hauliers.asp Some haulage companies involved in the transport of Animal By-Products (ABPs) will need to register their operations with Animal Health once new legislation is introduced in the UK. Fri, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/240211-welfare-of-ponies-on-bodmin-moor.htm Nineteen ponies identified as being in urgent need of care have been removed from Bodmin Moor since Friday February 18 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:30:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180211-new-rules-rhino-horns-in-the-UK.htm New European Commission guidance implemented by Animal Health’s Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service (WLRS) has made it illegal to sell mounted, but otherwise unaltered, Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/280111-animal_health-defra-OJEU.htm Animal Health and Defra have issued an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice inviting tenders for a framework agreement for Carcase Disposal and Transport services. Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:40:00 http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/jan/dairyinspections The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun a consultation on proposals to reduce the frequency of hygiene inspections on dairy farms in England and Wales Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:25:00 http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/23/ahvla-chief-executive/ Caroline Spelman, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed Catherine Brown as the first Chief Executive of the new Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), which will come into being on 1 April 2011. Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:22:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/advice-guidance/pet_pigs_micro_pigs.html This advice and guidance leaflet provides information for people who keep Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:30:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/071210-animal-health-website-update.html We have updated the layout and appearance of the Animal Health website to enhance user experience Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/251110-Animal-Health-Awards-South-West-TB-Transport-and-Disposal-Contracts.html In July, Animal Health invited businesses to tender for new government contracts for the collection, slaughter, salvage and disposal of cattle infected by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the South West of England. Fri 26 Nov 2010 11:14:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/251110-extreme-weather-advice.html While priority will generally be given to human needs, protecting the welfare of animals in severe weather is also important. Fri 26 Nov 2010 10:07:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/021110-Clampdown-on-Illegal-Animal-Trade-Hailed-a-Success.html The UK's contribution to a global Interpol operation targeting the illegal trade of reptiles and amphibians has been hailed a success by Wildlife Minister Richard Benyon. Tue 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/281010-Defra-launches-new-monthly-news-letter.html Farming Link is moving from a hard copy quarterly magazine to a monthly e-newsletter. This e-newsletter will have a new and easy to use format which will enable subscribers to keep up to date with key legislation and policy updates, choosing the subjects they want to read more about. Thu 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/261010-national-exercise.html A major national exercise involving Animal Health, Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and key operational partners, is to test Government's ability to deal with a significant outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Tue 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/160910-rhino-horn-export.html Animal Health will refuse nearly all future applications for the export of rhinoceros horn after the agency detected a worrying increase in the number of horn products being sold through UK auction houses. Wed 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/150910-changes-to-TB-testing-programme.html From 15 September 2010, the following changes to the TB testing programme have been introduced in England. Wed 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/120610-wales-tb-order-2010.html The Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 was laid before the National Assembly for Wales on 4 May 2010 and came into force on 25 May 2010. Mon 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/290610-merger-of-animal-health-and-vla.html The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman, has announced that Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency will merge to form a single Executive Agency. tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:30:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/140610-New-Regulation-to-Control-Timber-Imports-to-be-Introduced-in-UK.html A major new regulation designed to control the entry of legally licensed timber products will be introduced in the UK in 2011. mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:00:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/080610-new-pilot-scheme.html It has been agreed with the European Commission that as from 12 June Great Britain will change its status from a BTV 8 Protection Zone to a BTV 8 Lower Risk Zone (LRZ). thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:07:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/040610-bluetongue-update.html It has been agreed with the European Commission that as from 12 June Great Britain will change its status from a BTV 8 Protection Zone to a BTV 8 Lower Risk Zone (LRZ). Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:07:00 http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/040610-Major-Animal-Health-Exercise-to-Test-Britain-Foot-and-Mouth-Defences.html A major national exercise involving Animal Health, Defra, and the Scottish and Welsh Assembly Governments, will test Britain's ability to deal with a significant outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:07:00