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British bats ‘stable or recovering’
The report suggests that current legislation and conservation action is proving successful.
Report suggests conservation action is working

British bat populations are ‘stable or recovering’, according to new data published by the Bat Conservation Trust.

The State of the UK’s Bats 2017 report shows that of the 18 resident species, the majority are increasing in number or are stable. The Bat Conservation Trust said this suggests that current legislation and conservation action is proving successful.

However, it also warns that bat populations still face many pressures, including ongoing roost and habitat loss, increased urbanisation, artificial lighting and wind turbines.

Commenting on the report, Dr Kirsi Peck, Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Biodiversity Support Officer, said: “The report published today indicates that the protection measures afforded to UK bats are working. The NBMP’s high-quality evidence on bat population trends is an important corner-stone to the advice we give to support decisions that affect the environment bats rely on.”

The State of the UK’s Bats 2017 report provides a summary of species population trends up to 2016 and looks at some of the results in more detail to highlight key findings and conservation issues. The data used in the report have been collected from more than 1000 people who count bats in a number of different surveys across the UK.

Besides providing insights on population trends, the data are used to better understand how bats use our landscape and to provide practical recommendations on how landscapes can be improved for bats.

Philip Briggs, Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) monitoring manager, said: “In the UK we are fortunate to have an amazing conservation volunteering culture and it is thanks to the dedication of our many volunteers that we are able to track how more than half of our native bat species are faring and make exciting new discoveries about these fascinating mammals.”

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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.