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Humane slaughter of wild fish
There is good evdence that wild-caught fish may experience significant suffering
Funding to encourage development and adoption of humane methods

Billions of fish are caught for food every year – the vast majority of these fish are not stunned before killing, and there is good evidence that many wild-caught fish may experience significant suffering between the time they are captured and their death.

The Humane Slaughter Association (HSA) has announced funding of up to £200,000 to support a systematic review and feasibility study into the stunning or killing of wild-caught fish in commercial fisheries. It hopes to encourage the development and adoption of humane slaughter methods.
 
The specific aim of this research is to investigate the feasibility of the development and use of methods of humane stunning or stun/killing for wild-caught fish in order to minimise pain or distress in commercial fisheries. The work should also consider the sustainability of such methods – economic, environmental, ethical and social considerations, including practicality. 

The research is expected to consist of three major components:
  • an overview of the worldwide wild-capture fishing industry
  • a systematic review of any existing relevant research into the stunning of wild-caught fish
  • a feasibility analysis of which fishing system, species of fish, geographical fishing area is most likely to be amenable to the adoption of routine stunning of wild-caught fish.
Applications should be made via the HSA website. The deadline for receipt of applications is the 10 January 2020 with the aim of making an award by April 2020.

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.