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Assessments for Red Tractor scheme

Temporary bureau service set up for data input

From July 1, Real Welfare assessments will become compulsory for pig farms to comply with the Red Tractor assurance scheme.

The assessments are to be completed by vets on behalf of their clients and submitted to a bureau service as a temporary measure, during which the bureau will input the information on to a web portal.

The bureau service will be operated by Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (MLCSL), who will also enter details of farm setup.

After six months, the I-Pig app for Real Welfare will be up and running, enabling vets to capture the data they collect both quickly and easily.

As the data capture builds, vets will be able to log on to review the results and discuss them with their clients. Furthermore, benchmarking figures will be made available.

"The app is still under development and is being tested but there are still some issues with it," said Katja Stoddart, research projects manager.

"However it is still extremely important to collect data so there are two options being offered, the web portal or the bureau service, which BPEX will fund."

Prepaid envelopes will be sent to all vets and data sheets can be submitted to the bureau service via post (RW Forms Bureau Service, MLCSL, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2TL).

Data sheets can also be scanned and emailed to rwforms@mlcsl.co.uk or faxed to 0247 669 2405.

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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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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.