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Vet and rugby legend dies aged 93
“Everyone involved with the Barbarians will miss Micky greatly."
Tributes paid to Micky Steele-Bodger 

Micky Steele-Bodger, a veterinary surgeon and rugby legend has died at the age of 93, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the veterinary profession and rugby community alike.

Following in his father and brother’s footsteps, both of whom were past BVA presidents, Micky qualified as a vet from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

His career as a rugby player was cut short after a knee injury at the age of 24, by which time he had already won nine caps in the back row for England, as well as representing Cambridge University, Edinburgh University, Harlequins and the Barbarians.

He joined the Barbarians committee in 1946, which marked the beginning of his 73-year association with the club. He was its president for 31 years and also went on to become a selector for England and the British and Irish Lions; president of the Rugby Football Union and chairman of the International Rugby Board.

In 1990, he was appointed a CBE for services to the sport.

Barbarians FC described him as “relentless and seemingly unstoppable… a lion-hearted rugby champion”.

Honorary secretary Chris Maidment said: “Everyone involved with the Barbarians will miss Micky greatly and the huge number of tributes being paid throughout the rugby world are a testament to his dedication to the game and the way it should be played.”

A spokesperson from the British Veterinary Association added: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of this well-loved vet and rugby legend. Micky and his family have made enormous contributions to the veterinary profession, and we are proud to have had a close association with them spanning eight decades.

“His father Harry and brother Alasdair are both BVA past presidents, and Micky was a Trustee of the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship set up in his father’s memory. Micky will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all of us at BVA.”

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.