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Poland and Germany discuss measures to contain ASF spread
Germany is Europe's biggest pig producrer and a major exporter of pork.

Ministers considering border fences and increased hunting

Following the discovery of African Swine Fever (ASF) just 12km away from the German border, Poland and Germany are now in discussions to prevent further spread of the disease, including the erection of border fences and the increased hunting of wild boar.


According to Reuters, Germany’s agriculture minister Julia Klockner met with Poland’s agriculture minister Jan Krzysztof Ardanowski in Berlin last week to discuss measures to jointly curb the outbreak.


Germany has already relaxed some restrictions on wild board hunting, but the ministers are reported to be considering a “drastic reduction in the wild boar density, for example through shooting as an effective preventative measure.” 

Ministers are also said to be discussing a fence along the border of Poland to prevent infected will boar from entering Germany. 


The World Health Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) notes there were 55 outbreaks of wild boar in Poland in December, including some cases that were close to the German border.

As Europe’s biggest pig producer and a major exporter of pork, the German Ministry states that ‘an incursion of ASF into Germany would have severe implications for the animals as well as for the economy. An incursion into the wild boar population would be critical since possibilities to control the disease are limited.’ 


The German states of Saxony and Brandenburg have already put up fences also the Polish border to stop wild boar from roaming into Germany.

German ministers are also considering new regulations allowing temporary anti-wild boar fencing to be set up to cordon off an area should a case occur. 

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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.