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Homeopathy supporters to march on RCVS
A petition calling for the RCVS to retract its statement on homeopathy has garnered support from more than 13,000 people.

Vets and pet owners to deliver petition in protest of new position statement

Homeopathy supporters will be marching to the RCVS headquarters on Monday (15 January) to deliver a petition in protest to the College’s new position statement on complementary therapies.

The march has been organised by the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons (BAHVC), which has been campaigning for the College to retract its statement on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This includes homeopathy, which it says is a de facto ban.

Vets, animal lovers and their pets are planning to meet outside the Houses of Parliament and will then march towards the RCVS headquarters in Horseferry Road.

In November 2017, the RCVS updated its position statement on homeopathy to say that complementary and alternative therapies must not delay or replace treatments that are based on sound scientific evidence. The statement read:

‘Homeopathy exists without a recognised body of evidence for its use. Furthermore, it is not based on sound scientific principles…it is vital to protect the welfare of animals committed to the care of the veterinary profession and the public’s confidence in the profession that any treatments not underpinned by a recognised evidence base or sound scientific principles do not delay or replace those that do.’

A petition calling for the RCVS to retract its statement has garnered support from more than 13,000 people.

BAHVS President Chris Day said: “This is an attack on freedom of choice for clients and on clinical freedom of vets. It has been imposed without consultation with clients or any of the vets who use these treatments.

“We are deeply disappointed that the RCVS would seek to undermine its own members whose independence and livelihoods are at stake.”

The RCVS stressed that it has not banned veterinary homeopathy and neither does its position statement suggest that it has. ‘We expect treatments like homeopathy, which are not underpinned by a recognised evidence base or sound scientific principles, to be offered alongside, or complementary to, those treatments that are,’ it said. 

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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.