Following changes to legislation, applications are now open for lay people to become a member of the RCVS Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees.

This is the first time that non-council members have been able to sit on either committee - in an effort to ensure that different people are responsible for setting rules, investigating complaints and adjudication.

The amended legislation comes into force on April 6, 2013, and will undergo a transition period until July 2015.

Click here for more information and to apply to become a member of the RCVS disciplinary committees. The closing date is March 4, 2013.

Increased cases of liver fluke confirmed by AHVLA The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has reissued its warning to farmers and stock-holders that the "exceptionally wet" summer of 2012 has caused an increased risk of liver fluke infection.

The AHVLA has also confirmed that, as it forecast, there has been an increase in the number of liver fluke cases over the autumn and winter months.

Gavin Watkins, of the AHVLA, said: "The increase in the number of diagnoses is largely a result of high rainfall in 2012, which favoured the life cycle of the liver fluke and presented a considerable risk of infection to cattle and sheep grazing wet and poorly drained pastures."

Mr Watkins added that farmers and stock-holders should consult their veterinary surgeon for diagnosis samples if they are concerned.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's primetime TV series, starring the charity's ambassador Paul O'Grady, has won a National Television Award.

The award for the Best Factual Entertainment Programme went to For the Love of Dogs, a series that took millions of viewers behind the scenes at Battersea.

Sharing unforgettable and emotional tales of dogs searching for a second chance in life, the seven-part series was voted winner by the UK public, after capturing the hearts of the nation.

Battersea's chief executive, Claire Horton, said: "Everyone at Battersea is ecstatic that Paul's series has won such a prestigious award and I'd like to thank everyone who voted. We've always known Battersea holds a special place in people's hearts and this award reinforces the love people have for us and most importantly the animals we care so much for."

The RSPCA have announced that they are making a formal complaint against the Daily Telegraph newspaper. The complaint refers to a series of articles which the charity claims are "potentially defamatory".

The story noted primarily by the RSPCA as being "factually incorrect" is that regarding the recent hunt prosecution, and the claim that the charity was warned about hunt prosecutions by the Charity Commission.

Under the mandatory scheme, livestock keepers in Scotland are required to to test breeding herds for bovine viral diarrhoea by February 1 2013. The Scottish Government is reminding livestock keepers that the deadline for testing is near, and that herds can be tested using a range of methods, such as blood samples, ear tissue tags or milk samples.

It is mandatory to screen for BVD by 1st February, and annually thereafter. The Scottish Government has agreed to a four-stage industry-led scheme aimed at eradicating BVD from Scotland. Click here for more information on the scheme.

The annual Veterinary Business and Management congress is taking place later this month. Around 260 vets and senior practice staff have already registered their place, and tickets are almost sold out - so be sure to book now. The joint VPMA/SPVS event is taking place at the Heythrop Park Resort, near Oxford, between January 24 and 26, 2013. Click here for more information and to book your place.