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Gove highlights challenges of no-deal Brexit
"Nobody can be blithe or blasé about the real impact on food producers of leaving without a deal."
Tariffs and border checks will add costs to producers

British farmers will experience “considerable turbulence” if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal, according to environment secretary Michael Gove.

Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference 2019, Mr Gove outlined the potential impact a no-deal Brexit could have on the farming industry.

He said the UK is on the verge of a ‘fourth agricultural revolution’ which will require farmers to change the way they work and invest in their future.

“The more sophisticated than ever analysis of big data, drone development, machine learning and robotics will dramatically improve productivity on traditionally farmed land, not least by reducing the need for labour,” he said.

But Mr Gove also said it was important to be clear about the significant challenges a no-deal Brexit would pose.

“It’s a grim and inescapable fact that in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the effective tariffs in beef and sheep meat would be above 40 per cent - in some cases well above that,” he said.

He also stressed that all products of animal origin will have to go through border inspection posts. There could also be major delays at ports because the major trade route between Dover and Calais doesn’t yet have the necessary inspection posts.

“The combination of significant tariffs when none exist now, friction and checks at the border when none exist now and requirements to re-route or pay more for transport when current arrangements are frictionless, will all add to costs for producers,” he said.

Referring to these costs, Mr Gove explained that Defra was ‘doing everything to mitigate these costs’ and developing plans to help support the industry on a variety of contingencies.

But he added that “nobody can be blithe or blasé about the real impact on food producers of leaving without a deal.”

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.