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BVA supports badger cull

Calls for cull opposers to allow scientific work

Following the start of the badger cull in Somerset and Gloucestershire on June 1, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued a statement in support of the initiative.

The association has reiterated its support following activity from those campaigning against the cull, and is calling on its opposers to allow the scientific work to go on unhindered.

Explaining its support, the BVA cited data from the Randomised Badger Culling Trials (RBCTs), which shows that bovine TB in cattle can be reduced by 16 per cent in areas where a cull has taken place.

President of the BVA, Peter Jones, said: "We have not taken the decision to support the pilot badger culls lightly; we have considered all of the scientific evidence, which supports the management of bovine TB in badgers in order to reduce the incidence of the disease in cattle.
 
“We accept that there is a gap in our knowledge, which is whether controlled shooting can deliver a badger cull humanely and safely, and to the same degree of effectiveness as cage trapping and shooting.

"That is what the pilots are designed to address and why is it important that they are allowed to go ahead unhindered.
 
“We understand that this is a highly emotional issue but we must be able to gather the evidence to enable future policy decisions to be based on science."

 Image: Peter Jones, BVA president

Related News
Charities say badger cull will be ineffective
Pilot badger culls approved

 

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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."