Badger in cage
Farmcare Solutions Awarded Defra Contract To Deliver Badger Vaccination
2 days ago 
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Farmcare Solutions, a joint venture between IVC Evidensia, Obligace (a group of independent practices including members of XLVets), UK Farmcare and VetPartners, has been awarded the Defra contract to expand badger vaccination across England.
The company will act as the National Co-ordinator and Delivery Lead for the Badger Vaccination Field Force working with Nick Pile MRCVS (Cliffe Vets) and Dr Lindsay Heasman (Hurst Animal Health), key members of the current VESBA Badger Vaccination Project which operates in East Sussex.
Over the coming weeks, the Project Team will identify and work with local veterinary and agricultural delivery Partners from rural communities to deliver badger vaccination services in specific bovine TB ‘Clusters’ identified by Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
In the first year of the project, vaccination will be focused in South Oxfordshire, North Worcestershire and North Shropshire.
Farmcare Solutions will be seeking the support of farmers, landowners and wider stakeholders in cluster areas as well as more widely across England and will be in touch with local groups directly in due course.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Ele Brown, speaking on behalf of Defra, said:
“Expanding the ability to use badger vaccination in England is a key part of our toolbox to control bovine TB. We have now awarded the contract to Farmcare Solutions to roll out the successful East Sussex model to more areas where bovine TB is high and worsening. The new field force adds another targeted control measure, supporting on-farm biosecurity and our core cattle measures, while protecting badgers from infection.”
Dr Lindsay Heasman, the Project Manager for the Badger Vaccination Field Force said:
“I’m really excited to be part of the team expanding badger vaccination across England, and to share the lessons and experiences from the VESBA project as it enters its sixth vaccination season. Over the coming weeks, we will be organising meetings for farmers and landowners in the cluster areas, to explain more about the project and how people can get involved.
We all recognise that vaccinating badgers is only part of the solution, and we will continue to work closely with cattle keepers on additional measures to reduce both the risk and impact of a bTB breakdown.”
Farmcare Solutions also holds the TB Advisory Service contract in England and looks forward to continuing to work with Defra and APHA on this new initiative to further combat the devastating toll bovine TB has on farming businesses.
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