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Latest animal health surveillance report welcomed
“It is essential that the UK Governments, the veterinary profession and other key stakeholders work collaboratively to enhance the UK’s disease surveillance networks" - Simon Doherty.

Report recognises value of all members of the profession

BVA president Simon Doherty has welcomed the latest report by the UK Surveillance Forum (UKSF) on the UK approach to animal welfare.

The UK approach to animal health surveillance report provides an outline of the requirements needed for the surveillance of threats to both animal and public health.

Reviewed annually by the UKSF - comprised of the chief veterinary officers, their deputies and key policy officials - the report sets out the principles by which animal health surveillance will be delivered in the UK.  


Mr Doherty said: “It is essential that the UK Governments, the veterinary profession and other key stakeholders work collaboratively to enhance the UK’s disease surveillance networks. BVA set out our comprehensive position on veterinary scanning surveillance in May last year and we are delighted to see many of our recommendations echoed in this latest report.
 
“We are particularly pleased that the report clearly recognises the value that all members of the veterinary profession add by contributing to animal health and disease monitoring in all its forms, be that production animal, equine, wildlife or companion animal.
 
He continues: “Our position statement also set out the crucial importance of improving communication, engagement, awareness and data-sharing to ensure we are using all the available data and evidence to protect both large and small animals in the UK from new, emerging and endemic disease. It is great to see a similar approach emphasised in the UKSF report and we look forward to further engagement with all of the chief veterinary officers on this issue.”

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Charities' XL bully neutering scheme closes

News Story 1
 A scheme that helped owners of XL bully dogs with the cost of neutering has closed to new applications due to high demand.

The scheme, run by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and Battersea, has helped 1,800 dogs and their owners after XL bullies were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In England and Wales, owners of XL bully dogs which were over one year old on 31 January 2021 have until 30 June 2024 to get their dog neutered. If a dog was between seven months and 12 months old, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If it was under seven months old, owners have until 30 June 2025.

More information can be found on the Defra website. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu cattle outbreak spreads to tenth US state

Cattle in two dairy herds in Iowa have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), making it the tenth state in the USA to be affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease in cattle.

Since March 2024, more than 80 herds across the USA have been affected by the virus and three dairy workers have tested positive. Authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus and farmers have been urged to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.

Mike Naig, Iowa secretary of agriculture, said: "Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa.

"While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry."