The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new, stricter enforcement priorities to protect consumers from homeopathic drugs, particularly those marketed for serious conditions without evidence of any clinical benefit.

Despite the fact that…

The Government has announced that it is developing new proposals to crack down on puppies being reared in unhealthy circumstances by unscrupulous breeders who disregard their welfare.

Proposals being considered include insisting that dog breeders only…

The RCVS has announced that David Leicester has replaced Sarah Brown on Council, following her tragic death in October.

David, who is Head of Clinical Intelligence at Vets Now, came in eighth place with 1,756 votes in this year’s RCVS Council elections…

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…

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed that bird flu has been detected in 17 wild birds in Dorset, with more expected over the coming days.

This is the first confirmed finding of the virus in the UK this winter and tests…

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended the bird flu prevention zone declared in Dorset last week to cover the whole of England, requiring all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.

The decision comes after…

The RCVS is reminding veterinary surgeons that they have until the end of January to put themselves forward as a candidate for the 2018 RCVS Council elections.

The nomination period closes at 5pm on Wednesday 31 January 2018 with the election period set…

The government has today launched a call for evidence which seeks views on the banning of third party sales of puppies, which would mean anyone wanting to buy or adopt a dog would have to deal directly with a breeder or one of the country's rehoming centres…

Two candidates for the 2017 RCVS Council elections have had their challenge of the results dismissed by a committee tasked with assessing their claims.

John Davies and Tom Lonsdale MsRCVS both objected to edits made by the College to their candidate…

The RCVS has announced the candidates standing in the 2018 RCVS Council election and is, once again, inviting veterinary surgeons to put questions to them directly in this year’s 'Quiz the candidates'.

There are 10 candidates standing in…

The race to become the cuddliest, fluffiest, puppy-friendly political party got a little bit closer yesterday as Labour launched a 50 point draft policy document outlining its plans for action on animal welfare.

Titled 'Animal Welfare For The Many, Not…

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…

Christine Middlemiss has taken up her post as UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), taking over from Nigel Gibbens who has stepped down after 10 years in the role.

Before joining Defra, Christine served as the CVO for New South Wales, Australia, a position…

The Government has announced plans to ban the use of electric shock training collars in England.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and the use of these punitive devices can cause harm and suffering, whether intentionally…

Voting has now opened in the 2018 RCVS Council election and eligible voters can now do so online or by paper ballot.

There are 10 candidates standing in this year’s elections, including four existing Council members eligible for re-election and six candidates…

The RCVS has published a summary of the consultation phase of its review of telemedicine within veterinary practice, revealing a profession divided over the risks associated with remote consultations and whether it would be appropriate to prescribe medicines…

The RCVS has announced the results of this year’s RCVS Council election which saw a turnout of 22.7%, compared to 22.8% last year and 15.6% the year before.

The results, in order of number of votes, are: 

• Elected: Susan Paterson – 3,976 vo…

A Legislative Reform Order which amends the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to allow changes to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons's governance arrangements has received Ministerial assent.

There will now be significant changes to the RCVS Council…

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 High Court has dismissed a legal challenge by the British Homeopathic Association over a decision by NHS England to stop funding the discredited treatment.

The case came after the NHS issued new guidelines for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG)

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…

The BVA has raised serious concerns over the lack of information on UK exports of meat from animals that have not been stunned before slaughter.

Latest figures from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) indicate that 22% of sheep and goats (3 million) are…

The RCVS has removed 308 veterinary surgeons from the Register for non-payment of their annual renewal fee.

This compared with 339 who were removed for non-payment last year. 

A list of those who have not paid their fee has now been published and the…

RCVS Council has agreed a 3% increase in the registration and retention fees for veterinary surgeons for 2019/20 which will now be submitted to the Privy Council for formal approval.

Fees will now be £340 for a UK-practising member, £170 for members practising…