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Gloucestershire badger cull ends
badger
Last year's culls failed on humaneness and effectiveness.

No official figures on the number of badgers culled

Badger cull pilots in Gloucestershire ended yesterday (October 20). Official figures on the number of animals culled, or whether targets have been met, are not yet available.

Licensed shooters were given a target of removing 615 badgers from populations in Gloucestershire. Last year's pilot culls in both Somerset and Gloucestershire failed to meet their target of removing 70 per cent of the badger population, despite being granted extensions.

A Defra spokesperson said: “The minimum numbers for this year’s culls have been set using the best available evidence gathered by local experts and signed-off by Defra’s chief scientist. All aspects of the culls are being independently audited.

"The numbers of badgers removed during the culls will be analysed, quality assured and audited before release. The information on safety and humaneness will also be analysed, quality assured and signed-off by the chief veterinary officer."

A report carried out by an independent expert panel (IEP) last year found the culls to be both ineffective and inhumane.

Badger culling is part of the UK's strategy to eradicate bTB. Defra's spokesperson said: “England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and this is threatening the future of our beef and dairy industries, and our nation’s food security.

"We are pursuing a comprehensive strategy to deal with the disease, supported by leading vets, which includes cattle movement controls, vaccinating badgers in the edge area and culling badgers where TB is rife."

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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."