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Farmer-vet relationship 'must be maintained'
farmer and vet
From May 1, APHA will manage TB testing in England through five delivery partners.
NFU: Farmers 'should not have to pay to keep using their own vet'

Farmers are concerned they may have to pay to keep using their own vet for TB tests, due to changes in the way these tests are delivered.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) raised the concerns yesterday (February 17), after the APHA revealed it had awarded five contracts to veterinary businesses who will allocate TB testing work to vets in England.

NFU's deputy president Minette Batters said it is vital that farmers can continue to use their own vet without having to pay testing costs.

"The long-term relationships farmers build with their vets are hugely important for all aspects of animal health and welfare, and especially regarding bovine TB.

"These vets have often worked closely with farmers for many years, building up trust, knowledge of the farmer’s business, and a working relationship which allows them to have informed and detailed discussions about how best to keep bTB, and other diseases, out of their herds."

Currently, testing is carried out by private vets who are appointed, trained and paid by the APHA. From May 1, however, APHA will manage TB testing through five delivery partners, all of whom are part of XL Farmcare.

Under the new system, delivery partners must offer testing work to veterinary businesses within their region. Farmers may request a particular vet to carry out their testing, and APHA says this will be honoured where possible.

However, Ms Batters said the NFU is concerned that testing on smaller farms or those with more complicated tests will cease to be economically viable for their local veterinary practice.

Responding to the news, the BVA said it would be monitoring the impact of the changes and feeding any concerns raised by its members back to Defra and the APHA, with particular attention paid to "any erosion of the link between vets and farmers and the potential impact of a loss of veterinary services in rural areas."

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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.