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MPs urged to end UK badger cull
Born Free staff and supporters alongside the Badger Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports attended the event.

Born Free charity lobbied MPs to bring end to badger culling.

Born Free staff and supporters alongside the Badger Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports attended an event at the Houses of Parliament to lobby MPs to bring an immediate end to the UK badger cull.

Attendees included Born Free’s head of policy Dr Mark Jones, its British wildlife advocate Dominic Dyer, Peter Hambly from the Badger Trust, and ecologist Tom Langton.

In 2022, Dr Jones, Mr Langton and veterinary surgeon Iain McGill authored a study published in VetRecord which analysed the impact of badger culling on bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the high-risk area of England.

Their study, which examined government data obtained over a wide area from 2009-2020, failed to identify a meaningful effect of badger culling on bTB in English cattle herds. 

Dr Jones said: “Since 2013, more than 210,000 badgers have been cruelly killed under licence in England, yet the evidence for its effectiveness in reducing Bovine TB is at best equivocal. In spite of promises to the contrary, there are real fears that the government plans to extend culling for many years to come, which could lead to the disappearance of badgers from areas of the country they have inhabited since the ice age. 

“We hope our efforts in Westminster today will help to persuade at least a few MPs that the time to bring an end to this inhumane, ineffective and unnecessary slaughter is long overdue, and we urge ministers and the Chief Vet and Chief Scientist at Defra to meet with us to hear our concerns. 

“I would like to thank everyone who attended the parliamentary lobby and urge all our friends and supporters to keep calling for an end to the cull. With our wildlife in crisis, it cannot be right for government to licence the mass extermination of one of our few remaining iconic mammals for the sake of political expediency.”

The UK badger cull is part of the Government’s 25-year strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis and protect the livelihoods of dairy and beef farmers.

Recent Government statistics revealed that the number of cattle slaughtered due to a TB incident in England is at its lowest level since 2008.

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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...
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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.