Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Reptile biologist honoured for welfare work
Clifford Warwick joins elite team at Oxford Centre

Reptile biologist and medical scientist, Clifford Warwick, has been made a Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, in honour of his scientific contributions to the welfare and conservation of reptiles.

On joining the centre, Clifford said, "Being invited to join the Centre in its aims is a true privilege, and one I know the Centre will not mind me using to promote greater respect and protection for reptiles in their natural habitats – as well as those confined to captivity."

Clifford has produced over 100 publications in various areas of research relating to reptile protection and human medicine, and is argued to be one of the world's leading communicators within his areas of expertise.

Commenting on his work, he said: "All too often…people either shun [reptiles] and care little for their welfare, or keep them as curiosities in the home…where [they] commonly languish in an unnatural, overly restrictive, and unsuitable environment."

Clifford is one of the only scientists to have received SAS-personnel training, which has allowed him to carry out some of his more high-risk research in remote jungles and deserts.

As well as being a biological consultant to fifteen scientific and animal welfare organisations worldwide, Clifford also provides regular specialist advice to veterinary surgeons and the human medical profession.

Fellowship offers from the Centre are rare, and Clifford will be joining an alumni of specially-nominated, elite academics who further the Centre's aims of "Pioneering ethical perspectives on animals through academic research, teaching, and publication."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.