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Cull opposition continues

RSPCA vows to fight against badger cull

After a majority of MPs voted against a motion to reverse the pilot badger culls, the RSPCA has issued a statement vowing to continue its fight against culling.

In a House of Commons vote, 299 MPs voted for the cull to go ahead in Somerset and Gloucestershire, against 250 MPs voting for its reversal.

Commenting on the result, RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "We fight on. This vote flies in the face of scientific and public opinion. We are grateful to those MPs who spoke out against the cull and particularly those who defied the Government’s three line whip."

Mr Grant reiterated the stance of the charity, which supports vaccination of cattle and badgers, and better bio-security and control of cattle movements, as the way forward in tackling bTB.

He added: "Much more needs to be done to bring forward the timetable for the development of effective oral vaccination programmes for both cattle and badgers."

This is in echo of the the views expressed in a recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom) report, which said that oral baited badger vaccines are felt to be "the most likely way to create a healthy badger population."
Concluding, Mr Grant said: "Meanwhile we stand ready to work with those who want to vaccinate and save lives rather than cull and kill."

 

Related News
Charities say badger cull will be ineffective

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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."