May262017

News story: Bluetongue: UK farmers urged to be vigilant as cattle test positive in northern France

HM Government
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Farmers are being urged to be vigilant for signs of Bluetongue virus (BTV) and consider vaccinating their livestock after BTV-8 was detected in cattle in a previously disease-free area of northern France.

Bluetongue virus is transmitted by midges and can infect all ruminants, particularly sheep and cattle. It can reduce milk yield, cause sickness, reduce reproductive performance or, in the most severe cases, cause death in adult animals.

It does not affect people, and meat and milk from infected animals are safe to eat and drink.

Vaccination is the best way to protect livestock and a safe and effective vaccine is available in Great Britain. Livestock keepers—particularly those on the Kent and Sussex coastline—should discuss with their vet if vaccination is an option which would benefit their business.

The holding where the virus was detected in northern France is less than 150km from the south coast of England. Farmers across the south of England in particular should look out for clinical signs of disease, including mouth ulcers; drooling; swelling of the mouth, head and neck; fever; lameness and breathing problems. Any suspicion of disease must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301.

The latest expert assessment, published today by Defra, is that the risk of an outbreak of Bluetongue virus in the UK is currently low, but will change as we move into summer. The risk of incursion via infected midges later in the summer depends on the level of disease on the continent, proximity to the UK, the vaccination status of animals in the UK and weather conditions.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said:

Bluetongue does not pose a threat to human health or food safety, but can have a negative impact on farm incomes, for example by causing reduced milk yield in cows and infertility in sheep.

We have robust disease surveillance procedures and continue to carefully monitor the situation in France, where Bluetongue disease control measures are in place.

Our latest assessment shows the risk of outbreak in the UK is currently low, but the detection of the virus in northern France is a timely reminder for farmers to remain vigilant for disease and report any suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. I would also encourage farmers to talk to their vet to consider if vaccination would benefit their business.

More information about Bluetongue—including veterinary advice and information on the vaccine—is available from the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue (JAB).

Regular risk assessments will be published on GOV.UK and all disease control measures are kept under review based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.

Read the latest situation assessment of Bluetongue virus (BTV-8) in France.

May262017

Tory spending plans will hit public services and the economy – John McDonnell

Labour
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John McDonnell, Labour’s Shadow
Chancellor, responding to the IFS manifesto
analysis, said:

“The IFS assessment of the
Conservatives is clear: their plans would damage our economy and public
services with five more years of damaging austerity. 

“They also confirm that the
Tories have not specified any additional funding for the NHS,
meaning a continued crisis in our health service if they are re-elected next
month. The Tories plans on schools will mean continuing to sell away our
future, with continued real terms cuts to per pupil spending.

“Today has confirmed that only a
Labour Government would give our NHS and schools the essential funding
they need, and that our increase in infrastructure investment would boost
GDP and tax receipts. The IFS confirms that Labour are on target to meet
our manifesto commitments in regards to our Fiscal Credibility Rule, to balance
the budget on day to day spending in the coming parliament
and have debt falling as a share of GDP as we have committed.

“We believe the IFS has
underestimated the revenue raising effectiveness of some of
the tax changes we would make, but we recognise the potential for
uncertainty which is why we have allowed headroom in our plans.

"The only numbers we saw in the
Tory manifesto were the page numbers. But what has become clear
today is the choice at this election – continued austerity and falling living
standards under the Tories, or higher wages and increased investment in
our public services and infrastructure under Labour.”

May262017

Greetings to the 8th Nevsky International Ecological Congress

Russia
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Dear friends,

Welcome to the Nevsky International Ecological Congress, which has convened in St Petersburg for the eighth time.

Clean air, fresh water, green forests and meadows, and quality foods are what can keep us and future generations healthy. Today you will discuss nature conservation, improving the environment in cities and towns and reducing the negative impact of industry on the environment. I hope that the discussions will, as always, be straightforward and substantive.

Many countries have embraced green development not as a fashion, but as a fact of life and a vital condition for sustainable and safe economic growth and prosperity. It is important that the main theme of your congress this year is environmental education. We must promote awareness of the global challenges and threats of pollution not just with young people but also everyone on the planet, especially businesspeople and leaders at all levels who make decisions and are responsible for their environmental consequences.

I am sure that your congress will be one of the most important events in this Year of the Environment.

I wish you interesting discussions and productive work that will culminate in the formulation of new environmental protection concepts and initiatives.

Dmitry Medvedev