Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Survey highlights growing awareness of the benefits of veterinary medicines
"We are delighted to see great support for our UK farmers and vets in this survey." Dawn Howard, NOAH.

73 per cent of respondents believe that medicines positively impact farm animal welfare.

A new survey conducted across the UK and seven other European countries has found a general good awareness of the benefits of veterinary medicines for the health and welfare of pets and farm animals.

The survey was commissioned by NOAH’s European animal health association AnimalhealthEurope. It showed that 73 per cent of those asked believe that veterinary medicines have a positive impact on the welfare of farm animals.

Most respondents also agreed on the importance of vaccinating farm animals, with 79 per cent of those asked in the UK stating that farm animals should be vaccinated regularly. In addition, 87 per cent of respondents agreed that prevention is better than cure for farm animal disease.

In regards to pets, 81 per cent of respondents agreed that pets should be vaccinated regularly. 83 per cent felt that pets should be checked by a vet at least once a year and 88 per cent recognised the importance of using tick and flea prevention regularly.

The survey did reveal that, in some areas, people were generally unaware of the rules and regulations on the use of veterinary medicines. For example, 61 per cent of respondents were unaware that antibiotics have been banned for growth promotion purposes in farm animals since 2006.

NOAH chief executive Dawn Howard said: “We are delighted to see great support for our UK farmers and vets in this survey, with 83 per cent agreeing farmers care for the health and welfare of their animals.

“Where misunderstandings and concerns do exist, such as around the use of antibiotics to treat farm animals, we will continue to help address these and help explain the strict regulations that govern the authorisation of all animal medicines and the work we all do to support their responsible use.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Charities' XL bully neutering scheme closes

News Story 1
 A scheme that helped owners of XL bully dogs with the cost of neutering has closed to new applications due to high demand.

The scheme, run by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and Battersea, has helped 1,800 dogs and their owners after XL bullies were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In England and Wales, owners of XL bully dogs which were over one year old on 31 January 2021 have until 30 June 2024 to get their dog neutered. If a dog was between seven months and 12 months old, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If it was under seven months old, owners have until 30 June 2025.

More information can be found on the Defra website. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu cattle outbreak spreads to tenth US state

Cattle in two dairy herds in Iowa have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), making it the tenth state in the USA to be affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease in cattle.

Since March 2024, more than 80 herds across the USA have been affected by the virus and three dairy workers have tested positive. Authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus and farmers have been urged to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.

Mike Naig, Iowa secretary of agriculture, said: "Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa.

"While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry."