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NFU to underwrite badger cull trapping costs
Pledge to help farmers with expense of pilot programme

The National Farmer's Union (NFU) has announced that it will underwrite costs incurred by farmers due to the requirements of cage trapping badgers in the pilot areas for the proposed culls in West Somerset and West Gloucestershire should controlled shooting not be chosen as the primary control method.

The NFU has estimated that the expense of the cages could as much as double the cost of the programme, therefore placing additional strain on farmers and landowners which is likely to be 'prohibitive' in the current economic climate. An exact figure for the total expenditure required of the NFU should this course of action become necessary has not been stated, but observers have speculated that it would likely be considerable.

Commenting, President of the NFU Peter Kendall said “The NFU Governance board has agreed to cover the costs if [Professor] Christopher Wathes’ panel rules against the continuation of controlled shooting and we have to resort to cage trapping and shooting. We feel it would be unjust for the 450 or so farmers in the pilot areas to have to pay this when they are demonstrating free shooting on behalf of future areas from hereon after.”

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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."