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BEVA launches antimicrobial monitoring campaign
"It is important that we demonstrate, as a sector, that our usage of antimicrobials is responsible and proportionate, to ensure continued access." - Bruce Bladon
MonitorME will collect data from equine practices across the UK.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has launched a new campaign, as it aims to better understand how antibiotics are used in the equine sector.

The MonitorME project was launched this month to gather antimicrobial usage data from equine practices across the UK.

BEVA is urging practices to share usage data from their practice management systems to the BEVA office. This will be collated to create a nationwide data set of antimicrobial usage in the equine sector.

The information will ideally include the total mg of each antimicrobial used. It should also include the total number of horses treated by the practice in the past year, regardless of whether they were treated with antibiotics, and their average weight.

The data will be analysed and collated into an annual report, which will then be published on the BEVA MonitorME webpage.

The organisation’s 2023 report on antimicrobial usage is already available, but will be continually updated as practices submit their 2023 data. BEVA has already started collating data from 2024.

The new campaign will feature as a key theme at this year’s BEVA Congress, as the organisation aims to demonstrate the sector’s responsible approach to antimicrobial usage.

BEVA president Bruce Bladon said: “Growing resistance to antibiotics is a very serious public health crisis, which is why I have chosen it as the overriding theme for my presidential year and for the forthcoming BEVA Congress,

“The World Health Organisation has the usage of veterinary antimicrobials firmly in their sights and the possibility of legislation being implemented to limit our access to these vital drugs is becoming ever more likely.
 
“It is important that we demonstrate, as a sector, that our usage of antimicrobials is responsible and proportionate, to ensure continued access. Taking part in a project like this is, without a doubt, the right thing to do.”

There is more information on the BEVA MonitorME webpage, or practices can submit their data to antibiotics@beva.org.uk for collation into the 2024 data set.

Image © Shutterstock

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.