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Plowright Prize nominations open
The recipient will be awarded £75,000 to support their work in the field.
The prize recognises an individual in the field of infectious diseases in animals.

Nominations for RCVS Knowledge's biennial Plowright Prize, awarded for significant contributions to the eradication of infectious diseases, have opened.

Offering £75,000 to an individual working in Europe or the Commonwealth, the Plowright Prize is given in memory of eminent veterinary virologist Walter Plowright and Dorothy Plowright, his wife. 

The prize is given to an individual who has made a significant impact on the control, management and eradication of infectious diseases of animals, and the prize money is intended to support the recipient's ongoing work in the field. Eligible activity must demonstrate animal, humanitarian or economic benefit. 

Nominations must be made by 31 March 2022, and those eligible for nomination are veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and research scientists. Those nominated may be working in a researching setting, academia, practice, government, industry or a related sector. The prize is not open to organisations.

The judging panel for the prize consists of representatives from the RCVS, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health, Pirbright, The Royal Society and the Microbiology Society. 

Nominators must notify the nominee of their intention to submit and jointly complete the nomination form. Individuals may not nominate themselves. Full criteria for the prize can be found here. 

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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.