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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th September 2013
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Consultation on biodiversity offsetting
New scheme for wildlife and economic growth

A consultation has been launched by the government on a new scheme to boost economic growth and improve the environment.

The scheme for biodiversity offsetting will mean that developers have to provide new wildlife sites better than the ones they are allowed to build on.

Politicians hope that the scheme will improve the environment for wildlife, as well as simplify the existing planning process.

Consultation on the scheme follows a recommendation made in the Ecosystems Market Task Force report, titled Realising Nature's Value. Published in March 2013, the report proposed biodiversity offsetting, among other actions, as a means of tackling biodiversity loss and achieving economic growth.

A commitment to publish a consultation paper on the proposal was made by environment secretary, Owen Paterson, at a wildlife summit in May.

"Offsetting is an exciting opportunity to look at how we can improve the environment as well as grow the economy," said Mr Paterson.

He added: "We want to hear from developer and wildlife groups alike on how we can simplify the existing planning process while enhancing our natural environment.

"There is no reason why wildlife and development can't flourish side by side."

Biodiversity offsetting has already been implemented in 25 other countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia and Germany.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."