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Pig producers welcome pork import controls
"Producers do their very best to maintain high levels of biosecurity for their individual herds, and the new controls now recognise the importance of national biosecurity to complement this" - NPA.
National Pig Association responds to government announcement on ASF. 

New government measures to limit the movement of pork and pork products into the UK to protect pigs against African Swine Fever (ASF) have been welcomed by the National Pig Association (NPA).

The controls, which came into force on Thursday (1 September), make it illegal to bring pork or pork products weighing more than two kilograms into Great Britain, unless they are produced to the European Union's (EU) commercial standards. The rules do not apply to commercial imports, which remain unaffected by the control. 

It follows a risk assessment by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which increased the risk of ASF entering the UK to medium. The report found that the most likely way the virus could enter Britain is via a member of the public bringing pork or pork products back from an ASF-affected country. 

Senior policy adviser Rebecca Veale said: "We are very pleased that Government has understood the risk African swine fever poses to our national pig herd and in listening to our call for action is now significantly strengthening the protection of our borders.

"Notifiable diseases such as ASF not only compromise the health and welfare of the pigs and potentially devastate businesses up and down the country, but an outbreak would also have huge implications for our ability to trade. The risk of ASF has never been so great and the recent outbreaks linked to human movement in Italy and Germany have served as a stark reminder of just how vulnerable we are.

She added: "Producers do their very best to maintain high levels of biosecurity for their individual herds, and the new controls now recognise the importance of national biosecurity to complement this. As NPA we thank Government for recognising and addressing the risk of ASF and we will continue to work with them on this integral policy area."

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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.