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Badger culls set to continue
Badger

Liz Truss signals her intention to continue with the controversial badger cull policy

It has been reported by the BBC that Liz Truss, the new environmental secretary, has told the Commons that the controversial badger cull will resume later this year.

In her first Commons appearance since replacing Owen Paterson, Liz Truss said that the Government would continue to use "every tool in our toolbox" to tackle bovine TB.

Pilot culls in 2013 were assessed by an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) as inhumane and ineffective. BBC News say that, when pushed in the commons to guarantee that the IEP would assess future culls, Ms Truss said that Natural England would do so

Liz Truss was challenged by Maria Eagle, shadow environment secretary, to guarantee the IEP's inclusion.  Ms Truss replied: "The reality is that bovine TB represents a massive threat to our dairy and beef industries and we need to look at the best scientific evidence.

"We are asking Natural England to assess the way that the culls are going and to look at what we can do in the future."

Disappointed by the reply, Maria Eagle said:  "I'm afraid you've just flunked your first test and missed a golden opportunity to put scientific evidence back where it ought to be in Defra, at the very centre of the decision-making." 

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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."