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Wildlife groups resume badger vaccination schemes
Badger vaccination schemes are resuming across the country.

Organisations acquire TB vaccine following global shortage

Wildlife groups have resumed their badger vaccination schemes thanks to a new supply of TB vaccine obtained by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

In December 2015, the World Health Organisation announced there was a global shortage of TB vaccine for humans, meaning The Wildlife Trusts had to suspend their badger vaccination programmes.

But after several months of negotiating supplies and obtaining permission from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust gained permission to import the InterVax TB vaccine from Canada.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust chair and veterinary surgeon, Dr Sue Mayer, who secured the vaccine, has been training 12 volunteers in how to use the new delivery system. Thirty badgers have already been successfully vaccinated, including 12 badger cubs, and the next round is just getting underway.

Dr Mayer Commented: “Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to be leading the way across the country and vaccinating badgers against TB in 2017. UNICEF now say all country needs for human TB vaccine can be met so we wanted to start vaccinating badgers as soon as we could.

"Vaccination is a better solution than culling which research indicates can spread the disease further. It’s also cheaper and avoids the indiscriminate killing of healthy animals.”

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has been carrying out the badger vaccination programme across Derbyshire since 2014 – working with farmers and landowners, including The National Trust and the National Farmers Union. 

Its success in acquiring InterVax has also allowed other vaccination programmes across the country to resume, including those of Chester Zoo, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is due to begin vaccinating badgers on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire border imminently. BBOWT’s badger vaccination programme also resumes this month and will continue until November.

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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
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.