The National Office of Animal Health has issued a statement criticising the All Party Parliamentary Group on Antibiotics report: "Non-human uses of antibiotics: time to restrict their use?”, saying it fails to recognise the steps that have already…

From today, porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) is a notifiable disease in England; veterinary surgeons and pig-keepers are now legally required to inform the Animal and Plant Health Agency of any suspicion of the disease.

If a test for PED proves positive…

The BVA is calling on Defra and the APHA to take an innovative approach to capturing farm animal post-mortem data, after its Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey found that 90% of production animal vets now conduct their own PMs.

In 2014, there…

The government has confirmed that tests carried out on a poultry farm in Dunfirmline have indicated the presence of a notifiable strain of avian influenza.

At this stage, officials say that the clinical picture indicates that this is a low pathogenic…

The BVA has expressed its concern that almost two-thirds of food companies have no information on their commitment to stunning animals before slaughter – with only 4% having a "universal commitment".

The findings were published in the…

On the 15th anniversary of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, the BVA has emphasised the vital role of vets and veterinary surveillance in protecting the UK from devastating disease outbreaks.

The outbreak (confirmed in an abattoir on 19 February…

The BVA is calling for urgent reassurance from the government concerning farm animal welfare.

The association says the government decision to revoke farm animal welfare codes risks undermining public confidence in animal welfare standards.

When Defra…

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate wants to make vets and farmers aware of adverse events following use of Velactis in dairy cattle, and the latest announcement from the European Medicines Agency issued on 15th July.

Velactis (cabergoline) is a POM…

To mark British Food Fortnight (running until 2nd October) the BVA is calling for mandatory method of production food labelling, which it says could offer post-Brexit UK food producers and farmers a unique selling point.

BVA has added its voice to the…

The Government has announced that England is set to apply for Officially TB-Free (OTF) status for more than half of the country next year - two years ahead of schedule.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says this is evidence…

The BVA has expressed its disappointment at a report instructed by the Welsh Government that recommends CCTV should not be mandatory in slaughterhouses in Wales.

The Safeguarding Animal Welfare at Slaughter Task and Finish Group’s report, which outlines…

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has agreed to a request from Elanco to recategorise Zolvix 25mg/ml Oral Solution - licensed for the treatment and control of gastro-intestinal nematode infections and associated diseases of sheep - from POM-V to POM…

The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) has reached a final conclusion that the benefit-risk for veterinary medicines containing zinc oxide, used to prevent post weaning diarrhoea in piglets…

The Red Tractor Assurance Scheme has announced that all veterinary surgeons registered to its scheme for pigs must be members of the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS) from 1 October.

The change has come about following a review of the assurance scheme's standards…

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has published Brexit: farm animal welfare, a report which highlights both the need for the UK to retain EU veterinary surgeons who currently comprise over 90% of the country's Official Veterinarians, and the…

CCTV will be mandatory in all slaughterhouses in England under new plans announced today by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

CCTV will be required in all areas where live animals are present, with unrestricted access to footage for Official Veterinarians…

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has announced that Startect Dual Active Oral Solution (Zoetis), licensed for the treatment of mixed gastro-intestinal nematode infections and associated diseases in sheep, has been re-classified as POM-VPS, meaning…

The number of animals killed without pre-stunning has risen sharply, according to analysis by the British Veterinary Association of the latest survey released by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

According to the FSA figures, 24.4% (758,263) of sheep…

The BVA has welcomed Defra's announcement of new measures to eradicate bovine TB in England, but called for greater clarity over new cull licences.

Defra's new measures include:

• Eleven additional licences for badger control covering parts…

The BVA has forecast that new post-Brexit trade agreements for meat and agricultural products like milk, gelatine and hay could trigger a 325% increase in the number of veterinary certifications needed, requiring many more veterinary surgeons to perform…

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published an updated draft code of practice for the welfare of meat chickens and meat breeding chickens, following a consultation last year.

The draft code contains twenty recommendations…

Legislation to make CCTV cameras mandatory in slaughterhouses in England has been laid before Parliament by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

The legislation will come into effect from May 2018, at which point businesses will have six months to comply…

Actiphage, a new blood test for bovine TB, has been accepted for exceptional private use in England by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Dr Berwyn Clarke, CEO of PBD Biotech, which developed the bacteriophage-based detection method, says this…

Champagne corks popping as Worcestershire-based Meadows Farm Vets Ltd has become the first farm animal practice to apply for and be given Practice Standards Awards since their introduction in 2016.

The independent practice, which was set up in 2010 by…

The BVA, the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) and Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) have jointly welcomed a New Code of Practice for the Welfare of Laying Hens and Pullets which was laid before parliament on Thursday.

The new code…