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BEVA Trust Award for Austrian Vet
New Award goes to Austrian Animal Transport Inspector.

Austrian Vet Dr Alexander Rabitsch has become the first recipient of the BEVA Trust / FVE Equine Transport Enforcement Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in improving enforcement of current transport regulation.

Dr Rabitsch is an animal transport inspector in Carinthia in the southern Bundesland of Austria, where the main motorway from Northern and Central Europe passes through to Italy as well as to Slovenia and the Balkan countries. It is the main route for horses sourced for slaughter travelling from Eastern Europe to Italy.

For the past 13 years Dr Rabitsch has carried out random checks on transporters of live animals to assess compliance with the current Regulation (EC) 1/2005. He works in cooperation with the Bundespolizei (Federal Police), taking the necessary actions required to safeguard the welfare of the animals, supervising the unloading and the care of the animals in case of emergencies, and reporting to the courts.

Dr Rabitsch has also drawn on his considerable experience to lobby the European Parliament for the improvement of the Regulation governing the live transport industry. As author of a number of animal transport handbooks and checklists for transport professionals, he has made significant contribution to the training and education of those involved with the transport of live animals, such as farmers, drivers and vets.

BEVA Trust spokesperson, Dr Madeleine Campbell, said: “Alexander Rabitsch’s outstanding work to implement the existing Regulation governing the long-distance transport of horses makes him a very worthy recipient of the first BEVA Trust / FVE Equine Transport Enforcement Award. His special effort in communicating his experiences to raise consumer and politician awareness of the appalling, non-compliant conditions in which many equids and other animals are being transported is particularly commendable. Furthermore his ideas and tireless endeavour to further develop the current Regulation promise to help to improve conditions for transported horses and other animals in the future.”

The new award will be annual, and each recipient wins €1000.

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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.