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BVA Anxious for Answers after Vet Surveillance Report
Concerns raised after the publication of Kinnaird Review leaves questions unanswered.

The British Veterinary Association, while welcoming the publication of the Kinnaird Review of Scottish Government Veterinary Surveillance, has also expressed its concern that many questions are left unanswered about the future provision of services.

Amongst the recommendations in the review was the rationalisation of the service, including scope for the reduction in the number of Disease Surveillance Centres (DSCs), while still maintaining current levels of diagnostic services.

Carl Padgett, the President of the BVA, said: "We know that those in the veterinary profession and in industry have been anxious to find out the results of the Kinnaird review and so we welcome the publication of this report. In particular we welcome the recommendation that the current level of diagnostic services should be retained."

He added: "However, we are concerned that a degree of uncertainty remains over the long-term future of the SAC's eight Disease Surveillance Centres."

Mr Padgett is keen for the BVA to "engage with the new strategic management board as they begin to discuss with stakeholders and staff how the rationalisation should take place," and he also expressed his eagerness for veterinary representation on the board.

He concluded: "Any decisions on closure must be based on good surveillance and diagnostic outcomes, not on pure financial savings. The proposed centralisation of the laboratory services should only be carried out if it improves efficiency and maintains or enhances the current performance."

In support, Robert Anderson - the President of BVA Scottish Branch - said: "We are pleased to see the recognition of the high quality of service provided by the SAC Disease Surveillance Centres, which is valued by vets in practice....But we are somewhat surprised that the report leaves us with questions about how the rationalisation will take shape and how long the process will take."

To access the report click here.


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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk