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New funding for Sub-Saharan livestock care
Zoetis will use the funding to improve access to veterinary products and services for small-scale livestock farmers.
The Gates Foundation grant aims to reduce impact of livestock diseases.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant of US$15.3 million (£12.75 million) to Zoetis to improve veterinary care and diagnostic services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The funding will allow the animal health company to expand its existing African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A) scheme to more countries, helping smallholder farms to access diagnostic tools and veterinary products and services.

The initiative will put a particular focus on supporting female farmers. Women-led, female-only training courses will be held to increase participation in the scheme among women.

The original initiative, which received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2017, aimed to tackle livestock disease by creating affordable and sustainable access to animal health products for farmers involved in poultry, dairy and beef production. Starting in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, the scheme later expanded to include Tanzania.

The new funding will see the initiative expand further over the next five years under the new name African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement Plus (A.L.P.H.A. Plus). Kenya, Ivory Coast and five more markets from Sub-Saharan will be included.

There will also now be support from the scheme for small-scale fish producers working in Lake Victoria and Lake Volta, reflecting the fast growth of tilapia as a food source in the region.

To successfully implement the programme, Zoetis and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will work alongside the public and private sector, including local veterinary associations, farmer associations, NGOs and governmental authorities.

Kristin Peck, chief executive officer of Zoetis, said: “Access to medicines and technology will help farmers raise healthier animals, improve productivity and secure more sustainable revenue, which is critical to the economic development and well-being of the region and its population.”

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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.