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Royal Veterinary College moves to instil confidence in food market
The RVC course will explain intensive livestock systems.
The RVC course will explain intensive livestock systems.

Free online course will explain intensive livestock systems

With consumer confidence "at an all time low" following the horse meat scandal, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has launched a free online course to explain how intensive livestock systems work.

The three week, part-time, flexible course focuses on how food is made safe, the costs of its production, and the people involved from the farm to the table.

There is a specific focus on the pork and egg sectors which have some of the most developed production systems in the agri-food sector.

The course only requires two or three hours a week of study time, and incorporates quizzes, video and live discussion as well as written course material.

A certificate will be given to all participants who complete the course.

Prof Stephen May, deputy principal at the RVC, said: “I am really excited to be involved with this novel and enterprising course, which is a first for the RVC.

"Food is a subject which is literally ‘a matter of life and death’ for us all, so it is important that all members of society can understand and contribute to the important debate on our food supply and its safety.”

Enrolment for Food for Thought - The truth about food systems will start on Monday (10 with the course running from February 24 to March 14.

For further information, or to self-enrol on the course, please visit academy.rvc.ac.uk/info

This course has been funded by the Advanced Training Partnership in Intensive Livestock Health and Production.

– This article initially made reference to the RCVS being involved in the course. This was an error and we apologise for any confusion.

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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.