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Full McKelvey Report remains unpublished
The Information Commissioner has ruled that the RCVS's decision not to disclose the full contents of the McKelvey report was the right course of action.

The BVA, who made the request that the full report be made available after a redacted version was published in November 2011, will not be appealing the decision.

The McKelvey report came as a blow to the RCVS, as the exposure of many weaknesses in governance and considerable overspends intensified the sense of disconnection between the veterinary profession and its regulatory body.

The longevity of discussion generated by the report is testament to the strong feelings of members of the veterinary profession who believed the full report should have been made accessible -  especially after it was recently revealed that the IT systems, which cost around half a million pounds of members' money, is unsuitable and will soon need replacing.

Of the decision, Carl Padgett, President of the BVA, commented: “Given the strength of feeling expressed by our members on the issue of the overspends we felt it was right to try to obtain as much information as possible, but we accept the Information Commissioner’s decision and will not be appealing."

With the contents of the full report now set to remain a mystery, it is to be hoped that the lessons learned from its recommendations have been taken fully on board, and that the McKelvey report can finally be laid to rest. 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.