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Protecting UK's wildlife; 1 year on

Government presses ahead with the vital changes necessary to protect Britain’s wildlife.

One year on from the Prime Minister’s pledge to become the greenest government ever, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs is pressing ahead with the vital changes necessary to protect Britain’s wildlife and natural environment, to support a strong food and farming industry, and to help build a strong green economy.

Speaking 12 months in to what she describes as a ‘challenging but crucial’ role, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has been reflecting on some of the green successes since taking office.

Mrs. Spelman said:

“This government has had to face up to the twin challenges of economic recovery and mitigating and adapting to climate change. Building a strong green economy is central to dealing with these problems.
“These challenges are long-term and can’t be solved just with eye-catching initiatives that generate a few good headlines but are quickly forgotten. We’ve been working with the experts in their field to identify areas where government can work with the private sector, NGOs, and local communities to make a real difference.

“For example, we’ve created 15 new Marine Protected Areas since last May to conserve marine biodiversity, in particular species and habitats of European and national importance. And we’re investing £110m to clean up England’s rivers, tackling problems that have been sitting in the too-hard basket for too long. We’ll be working with local groups to turn our waterways into healthy wildlife habitats, sort out problems regarding ownership, access, and upkeep, and address sources of pollution.

“There’s also the international aspect of what we’re doing. The UK isn’t alone in needing to protect the environment and wildlife for future generations."

Click here for the full report.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."