UK bluetongue threat
There’s a possibility that bluetongue disease could reach the UK in the next few months. A paper published in the Veterinary Record comes to this conclusion after Dutch authorities reported the first-ever case of the devastating viral disease of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle, in northern Europe in August last year. Since then, the disease – spread by biting midges – has infected more than 2 000 herds in Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg. – Alan Harman
Aussie wool giants merge
The AUSTRALIAN WOOL INDUSTRY’S two major bodies are to merge, thanks to a A$15 million grant from the Australian government. Marketing company Australian Wool Services (AWS) and research company Australian Wool Innovation have been in merger talks for more than two years. The delay was due to a A$27-million debt to a UK pension fund that AWS inherited from a previous company structure. Federal agriculture minister Peter McGauran announced that the government will contribute A$15 million towards the debt to allow the merger to go ahead. AWS chairman Barry Walker says the new-look company should be in place by July. – Alan Harman
