Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th December 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Badger culls to continue in 2016
Badger
The government wants to see badger controls over a wider number of areas next year.
Stricter cattle controls will also be introduced

The badger culls will continue next year, alongside stricter cattle controls, as part of the ongoing bovine tuberculosis (bTB) eradication programme in England, Defra has announced.

Environment secretary Elizabeth Truss has confirmed that the comprehensive strategy to eradicate bovine TB in England "is delivering results," with over half the country on track to be officially free of the disease by 2020.

In a statement, Defra said that badger control operations in Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset were all successful in meeting their targets.

Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens added that the results showed industry-led badger control could deliver the level of effectiveness required to be confident of achieving disease control benefits.

As part of its strategy, the government wants to see badger controls over a wider number of areas next year.

Furthermore, to improve cattle movement controls, the Government plans to introduce statutory post-movement testing for cattle entering the Low Risk Area.

Responding to the announcement, BVA president Sean Wensley said that while the BVA continues to support targeted, effective and human badger culling, the organisation "remains disappointed that Defra plans to continue using controlled shooting and roll it out to new areas."

The BVA urges the Government to reconsider the policy and extend badger culling using cage trapping and shooting only.

Defra's plans to extend the badger cull is accompanied by changes to the licence conditions for groups of farmers carrying out the policy.

Raising BVA"s concerns about this, Mr Wensley said: "It is disappointing that the revised guidance to Natural England is not clearer that a simultaneous and intensive culling operation is the primary goal and does not define this. The primary goal must be to cull as many badgers as possible in as short a time as possible, in order to minimise the possible risk of perturbation."

Mr Wensley welcomed the strengthening of some of the tools needed to eradicate bTB, including the campaign to step up biosecurity measures in farms.

However, he said that the BVA was "disappointed to lose the BCG vaccine from the toolbox, with the temporary suspension of the Badger Edge Vaccination Scheme (BEVS)".

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.