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Culls to begin again in Northern Ireland
badger
Badgers in a pilot area will be trapped and tested. Those that test positive for bovine TB will be culled.
Second year of test, vaccinate or remove project

Badger culling is set to begin again in Northern Ireland as part of its test, vaccinate or remove (TVR) research project.

In year one, badgers were cage trapped, tested for bovine TB and released. This year, they will be re-trapped and tested in a focused pilot area. Those testing positive for TB will be culled using a lethal injection of barbiturate.

Data will be gathered on the reliability of the tests (sensitivity and specificity) to help inform future policy.

Simon Doherty, president of the BVA's NI branch, said: "We recognise that there are limitations in the diagnostic tests that are currently available for badgers and cattle and hope that the study will provide some quantification and validation for the deployment of these tests."

John Blackwell, BVA President, added: “There is no question that bovine TB is spread between badgers and cattle, but we still need to understand more about this complex disease in order to move towards eradication across the whole of the UK.
 
“BVA supports the use of targeted, humane badger culling and has called for it to be part of the comprehensive strategies in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, alongside strong cattle and biosecurity measures.

"All parts of the UK are taking a different approach to tackling bovine TB and we look forward to seeing the results of the TVR project as it progresses to help inform policies in other regions, as well as in Northern Ireland."
 

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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."