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Badger cull timing in question
The timing of proposed autumn badger culls may be in doubt

DEFRA's badger culls may be postponed due to legal challenges, weather problems and the recent political changes.

The culls were due to take place in the early autumn, once the London Olympics were over, however DEFRA is facing a number of possible delays.

A number of legal challenges have arisen regarding the policy which are yet to be decided.

The Badger Trust have appealed against the High Court's decision to allow the policy, and a formal complaint has been submitted to the Council of the Bern Convention by Humane Society International/UK, despite DEFRAs assurance that they will comply with convention.

There has also been added pressure from numerous high-profile celebrities, conservationists and wildlife campaigners.

A new DEFRA ministerial team may further delay plans and National Farmer's Union president, Peter Kendall, believes that the poor weather and subsequent late farming season has also affected preparations.

Mr Kendall said: "Although farmers will be devastated if [the cull] is delayed, getting it right is essential - rushing it and getting it wrong could undermine it forever."

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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."