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Animal welfare is ‘a public good’ - Gove
Mr Gove pledged not to lower environmental or animal welfare standards as part of any new trade deals.
BVA welcomes minister’s comments on post-Brexit farming 

Secretary of state Michael Gove has said that investing in animal welfare is a clear public good, during his speech at the National Farmers’ Union Conference.

Mr Gove also pledged not to lower environmental or animal welfare standards as part of any new trade deals, as flourishing exports are down to the UK’s ‘gold standard’ reputation for fresh produce.

Whilst the UK has a “high baseline” for animal health, which will continue to be enforced, he said the government could support new industry-led initiatives to improve these standards - particularly in cases where animal welfare remains at the minimum required by law.

“This may include pilot schemes that offer payments to farmers delivering higher welfare outcomes, or payments to farmers running trial approaches and technologies to improve animal welfare that are not yet an industry standard.”

The comments were welcomed by BVA president John Fishwick: “It is essential that the UK’s post-Brexit agriculture policy recognises animal health and welfare as public goods.

“If we are to maintain our global reputation for high standards of animal health and welfare and improve our trade links with the rest of the world, any future investment in the UK farming industry must be targeted at measures to maintain and enhance those standards.”

The BVA expressed disappointment after Mr Gove’s speech at the Oxford Farming Conference in January, as his vision for post-Brexit agriculture policy did not include animal welfare as a public good.

“We are therefore delighted at this new statement which chimes with the veterinary profession’s commitment to continually improve animal health and welfare in the UK,” Mr Fishwick added.

Mr Gove also recognised the importance of labour from abroad, particularly official vets in abattoirs, of which 90 per cent are currently from EU nations.

“It’s already the case that the supply of labour from EU27 countries is diminishing as their economies recover and grow,” he added. “So, in the future, we will need to look further afield. And think more creatively.”

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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.