NEWS
Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government has launched a
joint consultation aimed at improving and protecting honeybees.
The insects are facing serious threats from a growing number of pests and
disease, and the strategy aims to address the challenges facing beekeepers.
It consultation will look at a 10-year-plan to sustain beekeepers and ensure the
health of honeybees, while recognising the role of the industry's associations
in implementing a strategy.
Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health, said
it was vital that the Government did all it could to sustain honey bees and
beekeeping both today and in the future.
"The strategy provides direction and focus for
Government, beekeepers and other stakeholders working together on sustaining
honeybees,' he explained.
'We are grateful for the constructive engagement with beekeeping associations
over recent months to develop the strategy. Once the final strategy is
published after consultation, we will need to work with the associations on a
suitable implementation plan.'
Rooker launches
Milk 'Road-Map'
The Milk
'Road-Map' will try to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 30% by 2020.
It identifies the 'environmental impact' of producing, transporting and
consuming a litre of milk - and aims to reduce it.
Drawn-up by a working party which included representatives from across all
associated industries, it aims for a collaborative approach to this 'problem'.
The national Joint campaign
Against Bluetongue (JAB) drive for mass vaccination of livestock against the
virus has been boosted by the expected delivery of the first wave of vaccine
doses next month.
This follows Intervet's
announcement that its vaccine against the virus BTV8 has been licensed in the
UK.
The first three million doses are set for release next month, although Intervet
hopes the May delivery will reach five million doses. Intervet is contracted to
provide 22.5 million doses of vaccine - 20 million for use in England and 2.5
million for Wales - with the full order expected to have been delivered by the
end of August.
Defra's bluetongue vaccination roll-out plan has been developed in conjunction
with agricultural industry representative. The programme will start in the most
vulnerable areas of the East of England.
JAB - whose stakeholders include the NFU, beef and sheep associations and
veterinary groups - has welcomed the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's approval
of the vaccine.
In a joint statement, JAB's
industry stakeholders said: 'This is a significant step forward for the
campaign, which is aimed at getting farmers behind a vaccination programme to
stop bluetongue in its tracks. Farmers should identify how much vaccine they
need for livestock, they should contact their vet about ordering and talk to
them about vaccine availability.'
As part of JAB, the NFU is
spearheading the national 'Don't Hesitate - Vaccinate' awareness campaign urging
livestock keepers to order vaccine to protect their sheep and cattle against the
bluetongue virus.
In the South East, the NFU has joined forces with partners including the Small
Shepherds' Club, the SE Sustainable Food and Farming Board and the Institute for
Animal Health to distribute up to 30,000 postcards and accompanying awareness
posters. The initiative has been funded by regional development agency SEEDA.
Certificates of Competence
Farmers have been asked to contact their NFU Rep. if asked to
"Show" certificates that they are still waiting to receive.
Although the scheme came into force on 1st May, (Guess What ... ) LANTRA is
still working through a backlog of applications.
Trading Standards have been informed of the situation "and will take this
into consideration".
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