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New model for veterinary services
AHVLA announces new contractual model

The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has announced plans to develop a new model for the supply of veterinary services.

Delivery Partners will be invited to tender for the supply of government-funded veterinary services, which will be delivered within defined areas across England and Wales.

Services will include tuberculin testing for TB in cattle, other government-funded services such as brucellosis testing and possibly new areas of work.

According to the agency, it aims to make the process more efficient for the taxpayer, the farmed livestock industry and the veterinary profession. As well as enhancing quality controls, the agency says it will market-test the price paid for such services by taxpayers.

It is estimated that 10 Delivery Partners will be needed to deliver services in England and Wales. These will then sub-contract to small and medium businesses, who will supply veterinary services to livestock businesses within the region.

A single supplier will be responsible for new methods of veterinary training to support the new model. New training approaches include a "Certificate of Competence" which can be acquired by individual vets through accredited training, and maintained through periodical validation.

Tuberculin testing is the highest value service currently carried out by Official Veterinarians (OVs) on behalf of AHVLA, with an estimated £20 million to be paid to OVs in the fiscal year 2013-14.

The new arrangements follow pressure from the EU's TB Eradication Task Force to improve the quality of TB testing in the UK.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.