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Pig and cattle health projects receive funding boost
The funding will help to progress two projects focussing on pig and cattle health.
Two projects receive more than three million in funding to progress. 

Researchers at the Pirbright Institute have received €3.5 million in funding to proceed with two projects designed to improve the health of cattle and pigs.

The funding will be used to tackle three livestock viruses - bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in cattle, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV) in pigs. 

The first project, named NEOVACC, aims to develop vaccine strategies to improve the protection of newborn animals against BRSV and PRRS - the latter of which costs the global pig industry an estimated €1.5 billion a year. 

Professor Simon Graham said: “We are excited to begin work on the NEOVACC project. The consortium brings together a range of complementary expertise and knowledge to apply to our novel vaccine strategies, which we hope will provide young animals with enhanced protection against two important endemic diseases.” 

The second project, named ASFVInt, aims to identify the roles of around half of the 150-170 genes contained in the ASFV genome. This fatal pig disease was thought to have caused China US$141billion in direct economic losses in 2019 and continues to pose a risk to economies across the globe. 

Led by Pirbright’s Dr Chris Netherton, the project will see six partners receive €1.4 million to investigate 80 ASFV genes and decipher what they each do during infection. 
The team will use the data to see if there are specific genes that are important for replication or that the virus uses to avoid the pig immune response - research that could lead to the development of new antivirals or vaccines. 

Dr Chris Netherton said: “Control measures against ASFV are limited by our relatively poor understanding of how ASFV manipulates the host immune response. 

£The ASFVint project will help fill this gap by bringing together expertise from a range of disciplines brought by partners drawn from across Europe. Together we hope to build a road map which help uncover novel ways to combat this fascinating but dangerous virus.”

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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.