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BVA support for badger culls is "fragile"
badger
Mr Blackwell said he is disappointed that this year's culls were not monitored by an independent body.
President urges Defra not to take BVA's support for granted

BVA's president John Blackwell has implied the organisation may withdraw its support for badger culling unless it is shown to be humane, effective and safe.

"We have made it very clear to Defra that our ongoing support should not be taken for granted," said Mr Blackwell in a statement.

Pilot culls began in Gloucestershire and Somerset last year, with the support of the BVA. However, a report by an independent expert panel (IEP) found them to be inhumane and ineffective.

Mr Blackwell added: "We have made it clear that we cannot continue to support the use of controlled shooting to deliver culling unless it can be demonstrated that it can be delivered humanely, effectively and safely."

A number of recommendations were made by the panel, which BVA called on Defra to implement before giving its support to the second year of the culls. However, after repeated calls to the secretary of state, the 2014 culls were not monitored by an independent panel.

"It is no secret that some of our members are frustrated by the lack of independent analysis this year and we are disappointed that it has not been put in place to give confidence to our members and the wider public."

Some members criticised the BVA for its initial support for the culls, however Mr Blackwell said the association bases its positions on evidence, "reflecting the wide range of expertise within our membership".

BVA Council made the decision to continue supporting the culls in their second year, however Mr Blackwell said the association "always recognised that this was a fragile consensus".

When the data has been published by Defra, the BVA will carry out its own assessment to determine whether the second year of culls has been humane and effective.

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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."