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Shotguns will continue to be used in culls
badger
The BVA has urged Defra not to permit the use of shotguns due to lack of evidence on their humaneness.
Controlled shooting permitted, despite lack of evidence on humaneness

Shotguns will continue to be permitted during the badger culls this year, confirms Natural England, the organisation in charge of licensing.

In response to a freedom of information request, the organisation's bovine TB licensing unit, said: "The use of shotguns will continue to be permitted under licence during the pilots and, if shotguns are used, shooting will be closely monitored by Natural England staff."

Earlier this month, MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson confirmed badger culling will continue in Somerset and Gloucestershire later this year.

Pilot culls in the same areas last year failed to meet the target of removing 70 per cent of the badger population and the independent expert panel's (IEP) report ruled the pilots had failed on both humaneness and effectiveness.

Paragraph 6.2.1 of the report states: "The IEP is unable to comment on the humaneness of using shotguns in any subsequent roll-out, as there was insufficient relevant evidence from the pilot culls.

"It follows, therefore, that shotguns should not be included in any roll-out unless monitoring, of similar rigour rigour to that carried out in the pilot culls, provides evidence that controlled shooting with shotguns is humane and safe."

Following the IEP report, the BVA released a policy statement on culling last month. It states: "We urge Defra to confirm the use of shotguns for controlled shooting will no longer be permitted given the lack of evidence on their humaneness."

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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. 

Click here for more...
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."