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<title>Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Latest News</title>
     <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk</link>
     <description>Latest news from Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency</description>
     <language>en-us</language>
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	 <title>14 May: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/05/14/14-may-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are 258 UK farms reporting SBV: 36 in cattle and 222 in sheep. Two further cases have been confirmed in sheep, one in the Channel Islands and one in Buckinghamshire. Buckinghamshire is a new addition to the list of counties reporting affected animals, but it is still within our recognised “at risk” area in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon,14 May 2012 13:32:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>8 May: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/05/08/8-may-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are 256 UK farms reporting SBV: 36 in cattle and 220 in sheep. There are no new reported cases since the 4 May 2012.  All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 8 May 2012 13:32:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>4 May: Ending of requirement to trace test cattle on Approved Finishing Units in England</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/05/04/ending-of-requirement-to-trace-test-cattle-on-approved-finishing-units-in-england/</link>
	 <description>Cattle on active Approved Finishing Units (AFUs) in England, which have been traced from a holding on which there has been a new TB breakdown, will no longer require any testing for tracing purposes, unless a Veterinary Risk Assessment deems such testing necessary.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 4 May 2012 17:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>4 May: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/05/04/4-may-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 256 UK farms reporting SBV: 36 in cattle and 220 in sheep. This is an increase of one farm in cattle and one in sheep.  All farms are within the recognized risk counties in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 4 May 2012 13:32:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>2 May: Defra announces strengthened cattle controls to help eradicate bovine TB</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/05/02/strengthened-tb-cattle-controls/</link>
	 <description>Measures to reduce the risk of bovine TB being spread between cattle are to be strengthened as part of the Government’s plan to eradicate the disease in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Wed, 2 May 2012 11:38:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>30 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/30/30-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 254 UK farms reporting SBV: 35 in cattle and 219 in sheep. This is an increase of two farms in cattle and one in sheep (in the Channel Islands). All farms are within the recognized risk counties in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:15:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>27 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/27/27-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 251 UK farms reporting SBV: 33 in cattle and 218 in sheep. This is an increase of one farm in sheep. All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>23 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/23/23-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 250 UK farms reporting SBV: 32 in cattle and 218 in sheep. This is an increase of one farm in sheep. All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>20 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/20/20-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 249 UK farms reporting SBV: 32 in cattle and 217 in sheep. This is an increase of two farms in cattle and two farms in sheep. All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.

</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>16 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/16/16-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 245 UK farms reporting SBV: 30 in cattle and 215 in sheep. This is an increase of only two farms in cattle.  All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>13 April: Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/13/13-april-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>There are now 243 UK farms reporting SBV: 28 in cattle and 215 in sheep. This is an increase of only four farms since before the Easter break. All farms are within the recognised risk counties in England.</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Cleansing and disinfection of premises prior to lifting of TB restrictions</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/11/cleansing-and-disinfection-of-premises-prior-to-lifting-of-tb-restrictions/</link>
	 <description>AHVLA has reviewed the requirement in legislation for livestock owners to confirm their premises have been cleansed and disinfected before TB related restrictions are lifted.</description>
		 <pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Publication of Surveillance Advisory Group’s final report</title>	 
		 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/docs/new_pr_sag_report.pdf</link>
	 <description>The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has welcomed the findings of the independent Surveillance Advisory Group (SAG), set up to recommend a future delivery model for veterinary surveillance in England and Wales</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2012 17:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>5 April – Schmallenberg virus: further update to GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/05/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results-5/</link>
	 <description>There are now 239 UK farms reporting SBV: 25 in cattle and 214 in sheep – this is an increase of only one farm since the last update. These all continue to be within the recognised risk counties in England.</description>
		 <pubDate>Thu, 5 Apr 2012 11:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Invitation to tender issued for Whole House Gassing services</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/03/invitation-to-tender-issued-for-whole-house-gassing-services/</link>
	 <description>An Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice has been issued seeking applications for providers of Whole House Gassing services. Whole House Gassing services could possibly be utilised when responding to outbreaks or incidents of exotic avian disease.  The contract would cover Great Britain.</description>
		 <pubDate>Tue, 3 Apr 2012 16:24:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>2 April – Schmallenberg virus: further update to GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/04/02/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results-4/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 238 farms. Twenty five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 213 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as goats, camelids or deer.</description>
		 <pubDate>Mon, 2 Apr 2012 16:10:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>30 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update to GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/30/30-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-to-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 235 farms. Twenty five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 210 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as goats, camelids or deer.</description>
		 <pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:23:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>27 March – FSA takes on dairy hygiene inspections from April 2012</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/27/27-march-fsa-takes-on-dairy-hygiene-inspections/</link>
	 <description>Food Standards Agency (FSA) staff will be taking over the role of dairy hygiene inspectors on farms in England and Wales, continuing the work of AHVLA who previously conducted this work on the FSA’s behalf.
</description>
		 <pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>23 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/23/23-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 209 farms. Seventeen of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 192 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as goats, camelids or deer. Currently, SBV infection has only been identified in areas predicted to be at risk of midge incursion from Northern Europe during summer / autumn 2011. We cannot rule out the possibility that domestic (local) midges may have transmitted SBV within the affected areas. Domestic midges may have been infected after biting a local animal infected last summer after incursion of continental midges.
Disease has been reported in one new county, Bedfordshire, as well as in Jersey (Channel Islands).
</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>20 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/20/20-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 190 farms. 14 of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 176 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as camelids or deer. Currently, SBV infection has only been identified in areas predicted to be at risk of midge incursion from Northern Europe during summer / autumn 2011. It is likely that domestic midges have transmitted SBV within the affected areas.</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2012 10:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>16 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/16/16-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 176 farms. 12 of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 164 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as camelids or deer. Two new counties are included in the list – Greater London and Warwickshire.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>15 March – New rabies virus discovered in Tanzania</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_227451_en.html</link>
	 <description>A new type of rabies virus has been discovered in Tanzania by scientists from AHVLA and the University of Glasgow</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>12 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/12/12-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 147 farms. 11 of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 147 in sheep, and none to date in other species.</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:20:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>AHVLA warns transporters of live animals that expired transporter authorisations must be renewed</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/ahvla-warns-transporters-liveanimals-expired-auth-renewed.pdf</link>
	 <description>Under Council Regulation No (EC) 1/2005 all those involved in the transport of live animals for economic purposes on journeys over 65km must be authorised by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) as transporters.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 9 Mar 2012 15:34:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>9 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/09/9-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 145 farms. Nine of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 136 in sheep, and none to date in other species. Two new counties have reported disease: Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 9 Mar 2012 14:20:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Schmallenberg virus: Latest information for farmers and vets in Great Britain</title>	 
		 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/docs/sci_schmallenberg.pdf</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus: Latest information for farmers and vets in Great Britain
	 </description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 7 Mar 2012 15:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>5 March – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/05/5-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 121 farms. Eight of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 113 in sheep, and none to date in other species. Four new counties have reported disease: Devon, Dorset, Cambridgeshire and Somerset.
	 </description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 5 Mar 2012 14:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>2 March 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/03/02/2-march-schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results//</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 85 farms. seven of the positive cases have been diagnosed in  cattle, 78 in sheep, and none to date in other species. </description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 2 Mar 2012 16:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>27 February 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/24/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results-3/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 83 farms. Five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in  cattle, 78 in sheep, and none to date in other species. </description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>24 February 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/24/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results-2/</link>
	 <description>Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 74 farms. Five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in  cattle, 69 in sheep, and none to date in other species. </description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>21 February 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: further update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/21/schmallenberg-virus-further-update-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>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. </description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:45:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Schmallenberg virus: further updates on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/17/schmallenberg-virus-further-updates-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:45:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>14 February 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: update on GB testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/14/schmallenberg-virus-update-on-gb-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>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.   </description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:45:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>7 February 2012 – Schmallenberg virus: further UK testing results</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/02/07/feb-schmallenberg-virus-further-uk-testing-results/</link>
	 <description>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.  </description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Ending of licensing of cattle onto OTF (W) premises prior to completion of first short interval test</title>	 
		 <link>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/</link>
	 <description>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). 
</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:20:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Schmallenberg Virus: results of UK testing</title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/23/schmallenberg-virus-results-uk-testing/</link>
	 <description>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.
</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:20:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>An updated brand for AHVLA Commercial Services</title>	 
		 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_updated_brand.htm</link>
	 <description>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. </description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Schmallenberg virus: a novel viral disease of cattle, sheep and goats in northern mainland Europe </title>	 
		 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/2012/01/12/schmallenberg-virus/</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:30:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Independent review to develop futureveterinary surveillance model </title>	 
		 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/docs/new_pr_surv_model.pdf</link>
	 <description>Independent review to develop futureveterinary surveillance model</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:01:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Health and Safety Biorisk Adviser vacancy</title>	 
		 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/careers/vacancies/index.htm</link>
	 <description>Health and Safety Biorisk Adviser</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>New appointments to the Secretary of State’s List of Zoo Inspectors in England </title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/111205-New-appointments-to-the-Secretary-of-States-List-of-Zoo-Inspectors-in-England.htm</link>
	 <description>New appointments to the Secretary of State’s List of Zoo Inspectors in England</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Exercise Silver Birch 2010 : Lessons Identified – 12 Month Update
 </title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/111128Exercise-Silver-Birch-2010.htm</link>
	 <description>Exercise Silver Birch 2010 : Lessons Identified – 12 Month Update
</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:15:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>New view of livestock holdings improves responsiveness in a disease outbreak </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/cph-viewer.pdf</link>
	 <description>AHVLA has recently developed a new IT application, known as the ‘CPH Viewer’, which allows the Agency to better understand the spread</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>	  
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	 <title>The Salmonella in Livestock Production in GB report for 2010 is now available.
 </title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/reports/rep_salm_rep10.htm</link>
	 <description>This annual publication provides data on salmonella reports from livestock species in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland).</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Registration is now open for the Eighth International Symposium on Avian Influenza, 1-4 April, at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/new_isai12.htm</link>
	 <description>8th International Symposium on Avian Influenza</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Risk based routine skin testing for Bovine Tuberculosis in Scotland</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/official-vets/newsitems/news-item11.htm</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>AHVLA announces changes to its delivery network</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/lab-service-review-agreement.pdf</link>
	 <description>Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has announced that in future its laboratory services work will be delivered from fewer locations</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>AHVLA has issued an invitation to tender for contingency valuation services</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/tender-valuers.pdf</link>
	 <description>An Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice has been issued seeking applications from animal and agricultural valuers to form a Framework</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:00:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>Invitation to tender issued for veterinary reserve personnel and expert advice</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/tender-vet-reserve-personnel.pdf</link>
	 <description>An Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) notice has been issued inviting
businesses to tender for a new Government Framework Agreement</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:20:00</pubDate>
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	 <title>AHVLA’s proposed approach to competitive tendering for TB testing services in England and developing veterinary partnerships</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/official-vets/newsitems/news-item10.htm</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:55:00</pubDate>
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		  <item>
	 <title>AHVLA awarded significant funding for research into pathogens with pandemic potential
 </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/documents/AHVLA-awarded-funding-for%20research-pathogens.pdf</link>
	 <description>The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has been awarded substantial funding to participate in a European Commission (EC) programme of work</description>
	 <pubDate>Thr, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  <item>
	 <title>Dr Peter Roeder has been awarded the 2011 Rooker Prize at the AHVLA International Conference
 </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/documents/2011-Rooker-prize-winner.pdf</link>
	 <description>Dr Peter Roeder has been awarded the 2011 Rooker Prize for his lifetime contribution to veterinary science, at the AHVLA International Conference,</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  <item>
	 <title>The UK Zoonoses Report 2010 which AHVLA played a collaborative role in the production, has been released </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/animal-diseases/zoonotic/</link>
	 <description>The UK Zoonoses Report 2010</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 09 Sep 2011 13:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  <item>
	 <title>Online training video to help farmers reduce the risks of cattle contracting TB from wildlife has been released</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/08/30/video-reduce-tb-risks/</link>
	 <description>Online training video to help farmers reduce the risks of cattle contracting TB from wildlife has been released</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  <item>
	 <title>AHVLA seeks views on proposals for competitive tendering for TB testing services</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/110819-proposals-competitive-tendering.htm</link>
	 <description>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</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>Improved licence process enhances trading options for TB restricted cattle</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/110728-licence-process-cattle.htm</link>
	 <description>From 1 August 2011, livestock keepers in England and Wales can apply for a licence.</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>AHVLA's Business Plan 2011-12 published</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/corp-business-plan1112.pdf</link>
	 <description>AHVLA's Business Plan 2011-15 published</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Latest edition of Official Veterinarian e-newsletter has been published</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/ov/e-newsletter/Jul11_OV_%20Newsletter%203%20-%20web.pdf</link>
	 <description>OV newsletter is now available</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	 <item>
	 <title>Animal Health’s Annual Report and Accounts 2010-11 published</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110705-AR.htm</link>
	 <description>Animal Health’s Annual Report and Accounts for financial year 2010-11 has today been laid in the House of Commons library.</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	    <item>
	 <title>Herdsure® granted licences by CHeCS for endemic cattle diseases</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_herdsure_endemic.htm</link>
	 <description>Herdsure® cattle health improvement service has been granted further licences by the Cattle Health Certification</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
			  <item>
	 <title>Changes to dairy hygiene inspections announced</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/june/dairyinspec</link>
	 <description>From 1 July 2011, the Agency will be changing the frequency of official hygiene inspections on dairy farms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland,</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	 	  	  <item>
	 <title>Changes to Pet Travel Scheme announced</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110630-Changes-to-Pet-Travel-Scheme-announced.htm</link>
	 <description>Defra have announced changes to the Pet Travel Scheme, which will take effect on 1 January 2012</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  	  <item>
	 <title>Bluetongue restrictions to be lifted</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110614-bluetongue-rest-lifted.htm</link>
	 <description>Great Britain’s bluetongue disease status will change from its current Bluetongue 8 Low Risk Zone to that</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:30:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>Case control study of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) is published</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_bcs.htm#q8</link>
	 <description>The case control study is now complete</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:55:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
		<item>
	 <title>Changes to AHVLA office locations</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110603-changes-to-AHVLA-office-locations.htm</link>
	 <description>A number of AHVLA offices will relocate following Defra’s decision to reduce the size of its current property estate.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:40:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	    <item>
	 <title>Lamb milk replacer and disease in young lambs</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/science/sci_lamb_milk_replacer.htm</link>
	 <description>AHVLA are aware that certain batches of a lamb milk replacer have recently been withdrawn</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 11:30:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	    <item>
	 <title>The AHVLA, in conjunction with a network of top ranked academic partners, is offering PhD studentships commencing October 2011</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vla/vla_phd.htm</link>
	 <description>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. 
</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 11:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	    <item>
	 <title>Notifiable and Exotic Disease Course at AHVLA Weybridge and IAH, Pirbright on the 27 June to 1 July 2011 
</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/news/new_events.htm</link>
	 <description>27 June – 1 July 2011 at AHVLA Weybridge and the Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon, 23 May 2011 11:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>Appointment of new AHVLA Veterinary Director</title>	 
	 <link>http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/110506-vet-director.htm</link>
	 <description>Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Hall, as its new Veterinary Director.</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2011 11:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>VLA Scientific launches new interactive online catalogue for biological reagents </title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/vlascientific/vlas_pr_reagents_cat.htm</link>
	 <description>VLA Scientific launches new interactive online catalogue for biological reagents</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
				 <item>
	 <title>HSE publishes guidance on avoiding ill health at open farms</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais23.pdf</link>
	 <description>Preventing or controlling ill health from animal contact at visitor attractions</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
		 
            <item>
	 <title>Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency merge to create new agency</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/files/110331-AHVLA-News-Release-Issue-Version.pdf</link>
	 <description>Animal Health and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) will merge on 1 April 2011 to create the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA).</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	              <item>
	 <title>Test price lists have been updated</title>	 
	 <link>http://vla.defra.gov.uk/services/ser_tests.htm</link>
	 <description>We have updated our test price lists and the new prices will apply to all samples received from 1 April 2011, inclusive.
</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	    <item>
	 <title>Cattle testing positive for TB to be DNA tagged
 </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/03/31/cattle-bovine-tb/</link>
	 <description>Cattle testing positive for Bovine TB are to be DNA tagged to further strengthen controls preventing spread of the disease.
</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 31 Mar 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  	  <item>
	 <title>The Animal Health Welfare Prosecution Report has been released</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/corporate-publications.html</link>
	 <description>The Animal Health Welfare Prosecution Report is available on our Animal Health Corporate Publications page.
</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:20:00</pubDate>
	  </item> 
	    
		 <item>
	 <title>Exercise Silver Birch – Evaluation and Lessons Identified Report Published</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180311-siver-birch.htm</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item> 
	  
	 <item>
	 <title>Movement restrictions on older UK cattle introduced</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/070311-Movement-restrictions-on-older-UK-cattle-introduced.asp</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:17:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>New Animal By-Products Regulations to Affect Hauliers </title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/070311-New-Animal-By-Products-Regulations-to-Affect-Hauliers.asp</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2011 12:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>

	  <item>
	 <title>Welfare of Ponies on Bodmin Moor - Statement from Animal Health and Defra Minister Jim Paice</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/240211-welfare-of-ponies-on-bodmin-moor.htm</link>
	 <description>Nineteen ponies identified as being in urgent need of care have been removed from Bodmin Moor since Friday February 18</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:30:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>New rules make it illegal to trade mounted rhino horns in the UK</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/180211-new-rules-rhino-horns-in-the-UK.htm</link>
	 <description>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,</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  
	  <item>
	 <title>Disposals and transport contingency framework - Industry called upon to tender</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/280111-animal_health-defra-OJEU.htm</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:40:00</pubDate>
	  </item> 
	  
	  	 <item>
	 <title>Food Standards Agency announce consultation on dairy farm hygiene inspections</title>	
	 <link> http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2011/jan/dairyinspections</link>
	 <description>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</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:25:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Chief Executive appointed to new Government Agency</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/12/23/ahvla-chief-executive/</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:22:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Advice has been released for owners and prospective owners of pet pigs</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/about/publications/advice-guidance/pet_pigs_micro_pigs.html</link>
	 <description>This advice and guidance leaflet provides information for people who keep</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:30:00</pubDate>
	  </item>

	   	 <item>
	 <title>Animal Health website changes</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/071210-animal-health-website-update.html</link>
	 <description>We have updated the layout and appearance of the Animal Health website to enhance user experience</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:00:00</pubDate>
	  </item>
	  	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Animal Health Awards South West TB Transport and Disposal Contracts</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/251110-Animal-Health-Awards-South-West-TB-Transport-and-Disposal-Contracts.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri 26 Nov 2010 11:14:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Animal Welfare Extreme Weather Advice</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/251110-extreme-weather-advice.html</link>
	 <description>While priority will generally be given to human needs, protecting the welfare of animals in severe weather is also important.</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri 26 Nov 2010 10:07:00</pubDate>
	 </item> 
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Clampdown on Illegal Animal Trade Hailed a Success</title>	
	  <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/021110-Clampdown-on-Illegal-Animal-Trade-Hailed-a-Success.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Tue 02 Nov 2010 12:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Defra Launches New Monthly News Letter</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/281010-Defra-launches-new-monthly-news-letter.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>Government's Response to Animal Disease to be Tested in November Exercise</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/261010-national-exercise.html</link>
	 <description>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).
	 </description>
	 <pubDate>Tue 26 Oct 2010 12:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	
	<item>
	 <title>News release - Animal Health to Prevent Export of Rhino Horn from UK</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/160910-rhino-horn-export.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item> 
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>News release - Changes to TB testing programme</title>	
	  <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/150910-changes-to-TB-testing-programme.html</link>
	 <description>From 15 September 2010, the following changes to the TB testing programme have been introduced in England.</description>
	 <pubDate>Wed 15 Sep 2010 12:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item> 
	
	 <item>
	 <title>Wales TB Order 2010</title>	
	  <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/120610-wales-tb-order-2010.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Mon 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00</pubDate>
	 </item> 
	
	 <item>
	 <title>Merger of Animal Health with Veterinary Laboratories Agency</title>	 
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/290610-merger-of-animal-health-and-vla.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:30:00</pubDate>
	 </item> 
	 
	  <item>
	 <title>New Regulation to Control Timber Imports to be Introduced in UK</title>	
	  <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/140610-New-Regulation-to-Control-Timber-Imports-to-be-Introduced-in-UK.html</link>
	 <description>A major new regulation designed to control the entry of legally licensed timber products will be introduced in the UK in 2011.</description>
	 <pubDate>mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:00:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	 
	 <item>
	 <title>New Pilot Scheme to Speed up Removal of TB Reactor Cattle</title>
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/080610-new-pilot-scheme.html</link>
	 <description>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).</description>
	 <pubDate>thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:07:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	
	 <item>
	 <title>Bluetongue Update </title>
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/040610-bluetongue-update.html</link>
	 <description>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).</description>
	 <pubDate>Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:07:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
	
	  <item>
	 <title>Major Animal Health Exercise to Test Britain's Foot-and-Mouth Defences</title>
	 <link>http://www.animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/news/archived-news/040610-Major-Animal-Health-Exercise-to-Test-Britain-Foot-and-Mouth-Defences.html</link>
	 <description>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.</description>
	 <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:07:00</pubDate>
	 </item>
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