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Opposition to Badger Cull grows
Bill Oddie and Charities announce opposition

A group of animal welfare charities including Care for the Wild International, the Badger Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports, the Shadow DEFRA Secretary Mary Creagh MP and broadcaster Bill Oddie have announced their support for Humane Society International (HSI) UK's decision to submit a formal complaint to the Bern Convention against the decision by the government to authorise proposed badger cull pilot programmes in West Gloucestershire and West Somerset.

HSI-UK argues that a cull would breach the Bern Convention on three counts: that it does not have legitimate purpose, that it threatens local badger populations, and that alternative strategies have not been adequately explored.

Commenting, Mr Oddie said “There is an appalling bloody-minded arrogance about the Government’s decision. Opposition to the cull is not based on sentimentality, but on the fact that a great deal of thorough research suggests that it won’t work.”

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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. 

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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."