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PED to become notifiable in England
pig vet
If a case of PED is suspected, vets and pig keepers will be obligated to notify the APHA.
New rules come into force this week
 
Porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) is set become a notifiable disease this week. From Friday 18 December, vets and pig keepers will be legally required to inform the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) of any suspected cases.

The aim is to better prepare the pig industry for an outbreak of the disease should it arrive on our shores.

PED is a significant threat to British pig keepers and has already had devastating consequences in the US - causing up to 100 per cent mortality in piglets and knocking out around 10 per cent of pig production in 2013-14.

Since then, the disease has also spread to the Ukraine.

From Friday, it will be classed as 'lightweight notifiable' in England. There will be no statutory movement controls, no compulsory slaughter and no blocks on exports. Scotland is currently consulting on the introduction of similar legislation.

If a case of PED is suspected, vets and pig keepers will be obligated to notify the APHA.

The government will then inform the 'appropriate organisation' (AHDB Pork), who will provide the affected pig unit with biosecurity advice and carry out tracing and alerting at-risk contacts.

The aim will be to eliminate the disease from the unit and prevent further spread.

Meryl Ward, chairman of AHDB Pork, the organisation for pig levy payers in England, said: "This initiative is a significant step change in partnership working between industry, Defra and the APHA to build England’s resilience to disease.

"PED is a potentially serious disease and emerging threat to our English pig industry. A unique industry led collaboration with Government led to the development of the PEDv Contingency plan to ‘identify, contain and eliminate’.

"The regulatory change to notifiable status is a critical part of the plan and will assist in early identification of affected premises, allowing more time to take effective actions to minimise the impact on the industry and therefore increasing the opportunity to eliminate the disease."

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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.