Govt launches animal disease text service

The government has launched a free news alert service designed to keep Britons informed about developments within notifiable animal diseases.

Animal Health, an arm of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), states that the service is primarily meant for those involved with the farming community.

It will supply information on foot and mouth, bluetongue, avian influenza, classical swine fever and Newcastle disease either by voicemail, text, fax or email – depending on the subscriber’s preference.

The department suggested this could be useful to livestock keepers and veterinary practices.

Glenys Stacey, Animal Health chief executive, said: “A disease outbreak is a difficult time and it is vitally important that livestock keepers can access accurate information as quickly as possible.”

Today Defra announced it is to hold a seminar next month in York to canvas the opinions of livestock keepers and farmers on the government’s animal disease policies.