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RUMA update AMR action plan for livestock
RUMA have developed guidelines for the responsible use of antibiotics in dry cow management.
Records the progress made so far

The Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA) has revised its Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) strategy action plan for the livestock sector.

Announcing the revision, RUMA secretary general John Fitzgerald said this version of the plan records the process made so far.

Progress includes improved biosecurity controls and work to enable the collection of better antimicrobial usage data for reporting to the VMD.

RUMA have also developed guidelines for the responsible use of antibiotics in dry cow management, and agreed to prepare a toolkit for trainers on the content of responsible use training. This will be made freely available once completed.

Responding to the launch of the UK Governments five year AMR strategy in September 2013, RUMA published an action plan for the livestock sector in April 2014.

When the plan was published, John Fitzgerald said that RUMA members had agreed to review and record progress against the plan at RUMA's quarterly meetings.

They also agreed to publish the plan and its subsequent revisions to provide an open report on how this work is developing.

The first revision is now available on the RUMA website: www.ruma.org.uk

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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.