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UK and Australia collaborate in simulated ASF exercise
The exercise will contribute to the skills of specialised teams that make rapid risk assessments required in an ASF biosecurity emergency.

Nations work to strengthen joint disease control strategies

The UK and New South Wales government in Australia are collaborating this week on a joint, simulated exercise, to test and strengthen biosecurity measures in the event of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

There has never been an outbreak of ASF in the UK, and there are substantial measures in place to protect against it. However, it is a major risk to both Australia and the UK’s pig industries, due to trade links and proximity to affected regions in Asia and Europe.

Current biosecurity measures dictate that, in the event of an outbreak, UK and Australian governments will put in place movement controls for all pig-related businesses, possibly including feed delivery, slaughter houses, pig breeding units or movement of animals to sale.

According to the UK government’s statement, this exercise’s main purpose is to assess how the movement restrictions would be applied in practice to best manage an ASF outbreak. Experts in risk assessment, epidemiology, science and disease control policy from Australia and the UK are taking part, working to develop strategies to control ASF.

The exercise takes place over three days, beginning on Wednesday 29 January. The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will be working alongside Local Land Services and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Australian Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong. At the same time, teams from Defra and the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) will be participating in the exercise in London, UK.

Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: “The UK has strong links with Australia and scientific cooperation is one of them, so I welcome this initiative to share information and experience, helping us to maintain our high biosecurity standards.”

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.