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Charity workers and scientists honoured by the Queen
obe
Two charity workers received MBEs for services to animal welfare.
Recipients of the Queen's New Year's Honours revealed

Numerous charity workers and scientists have been recognised for services to animal health and welfare in the Queen's New Year's Honours 2015, including Professor Venugopal Nair - head of the Avian Viral Diseases Programme at the Pirbright Institute.

Professor Nair was awarded an OBE for his involvement with the programme, which is currently focused on viruses that cause avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and Marek's disease. Working in partnership with vaccine producers, the project aims to develop more effective vaccines.

The founder of The Swan Sanctuary in Shepperton was one of two charity workers to receive an MBE - Dorothy Beeson was recognised for her work rescuing and rehabilitating swans.

Anne Owen, founder of the North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre also received an MBE for services to animal health and welfare.

Among those to receive BEMs were:
  • Valerie Margaret Allen - for voluntary services to Rider and Equine Safety
  • Ruth Boyes - for services to the charity Pets as Therapy
  • Lance Cruse - for services to the protection of endangered species in the course of his work as a Border Force officer
  • Patricia Anne Dobbin and Louise Greer - for services to the charity Riding for the Disabled
  • Elizabeth Edwards, a research scientist at the John Innes Centre and volunteer for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust - for services to the environment and the public understanding of science
  • Trevor Llewellyn Richards, lately capital project liaison officer at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine - for services to biomedical research and the welfare of animals in research

 

Image Wikimedia Commons/Robert Pummel/CC BY 2.5

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.