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Increasing confidence in UK beef
Singaporean visitors tour AHVLA laboratories

A team from Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) have visited the UK in order to gain understanding of our bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance and control methods.

The aim of the visit was to consider the possibility of opening trade links with each other, to supply "prime" UK beef to Singaporean hotels and restaurants.

Dr Chew Siang Thai, director general of AVA, sent his team to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) in Weybridge, Surrey, to find out more.

The visit involved discussing BSE with AHVLA scientists, looking at controls and testing regimes, as well as a tour of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) laboratories.

Dr Jim Hope, lead scientist for TSE at the AHVLA, said: "The visit showed the effectiveness of our TSE controls and aimed to increase confidence in UK beef.

"We explained how AHVLA delivers statutory surveillance for BSE, and highlighted our role as an international and EU reference laboratory for TSEs and the role of our experts as European Food Safety Authority consultants."

Dr Hope added that he is "optimistic" the visit will lead to a positive assessment of the UK's BSE controls by the Singapore BSE Technical committee and the AVA Ministry.

"[This will] potentially enable the export of prime UK beef from cattle under 30 months of age by the autumn of this year," he concluded. 

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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.