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SRUC to invest in new research facility
The centre will combine multidisciplinary strengths in veterinary disease surveillance, research, education and rural business consultancy.
Centre to focus on digital agriculture and animal health

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has announced that it will be investing £2m into a new Centre of Excellence for Digital Agriculture and Animal Health.

Confirming plans on its website, the college said the centre will expand their existing research and commercial operations and will also improve scientific and education services.

Housed on Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s (HIE) Inverness Campus, the centre will combine multidisciplinary strengths in veterinary disease surveillance, research, education and rural business consultancy.

Professor Jamie Newbold, SRUC’s academic director, said: “We’re very excited about this new development in our partnership with HIE. SRUC has an ambitious regional, national and global strategy to increase its positive impact on rural economies.

“Key to our new strategy is collaboration with existing and new partners, achieved through the sharing of expertise, resources and facilities. Our new Centre will open up huge opportunities and give us the scope to deliver new services. Examples include the harnessing of ‘big data’ and digital technology for use in research and education and improvements in the responsiveness and impact of the advisory services we offer to local farmers.”

HIE’s Ruaraidh MacNeil, project director of Inverness Campus, said: “We are delighted to be working with SRUC on its plans for expansion at the Campus. SRUC is already involved in a variety of collaborative projects at Inverness Campus working with other academic institutions, NHS and commercial companies.

“These plans bring more opportunities to expand this joint working and boost the Campus animal health offering. SRUC has been a key member of the Inverness Campus Partnership Forum since its inception in 2010.”

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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.