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BVA responds to the Queen's Speech
The BVA has long-campaigned for action in areas covered by the Bill.
The Association welcomes a pledge to bring the Kept Animals Bill into law. 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed a pledge from the government to prioritise animal welfare in the next parliamentary session.

While animal welfare did not receive a mention in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday (10 May), upcoming legislation accompanying it confirmed that the Kept Animals Bill will continue its passage into law via a carryover motion.

The Bill, which has already gone through its first and second reading in parliament, aims to tackle welfare issues such as pet theft and puppy smuggling. A date for the report stage and third reading of the Bill is due to be announced.

The BVA has long-campaigned for action in areas covered by the Bill, but says that progress has stalled in recent months.

Plans to ban the import and sale of fur and foie gras were not included in Tuesday's announcement, which would have been introduced via the Animals Abroad Bill. BVA has previously warned against importing animal products that fail to meet the UK’s high health and welfare standards.

Justine Shotton, BVA President, said: “We’re disappointed that animal welfare didn’t get a mention in the Queen’s Speech itself, but at least reassured that the carryover motion cements plans to finally get the Kept Animals Bill over the line and into law. This crucial and long-awaited piece of legislation promises to bring in a cross-species suite of measures that will improve the lives of billions of animals.

“The Bill pledges to tackle issues which our members have identified as some of most pressing animal health and welfare issues of our times, and the impact of the pandemic on longstanding concerns such as puppy smuggling has only added to this urgency. BVA urges the government to bring this vital Bill into law as a top priority in the upcoming parliamentary session.”

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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.