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Red Tractor Pigs Standard roadshows

Events planned to gain feedback and review

A series of roadshows have been planned, in an effort to review the Red Tractor Pigs Standard and the design and operation of Real Welfare Assessments.

Planned for this winter, the roadshows' theme for discussion will be "Where are we now?".

The series follows the success and positive feedback from last winter's roadshows, which resulted in the formation of a Standards Review Working Group.

Output from this group has been fed into the formal review of Red Tractor Pigs Standard and will impact the revised version.

This winter will also see the establishment of a new Standards Review Working Group, again made up of pig producers, Red Tractor, BPEX, National Pig Association (NPA) and representatives from the Pig Veterinary Society (PVS).

A BPEX spokesperson has said: "The roadshows will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the proposed revised standard, with all the improvements generated by the Standards Review Working Group, to gauge reaction to the proposals and to discuss our progress so far.

"We are now some way into the introduction of Real Welfare Assessments to the Red Tractor Pigs Standard, and feedback from all sources is being gathered about how the assessments are working in practice."

Further details about the roadshow are said to be released shortly.

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.