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AHVLA Chief defends agency
Catherine Brown
EFRACom criticise IT issues

Chief Executive of the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) Catherine Brown has been questioned by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom) after failures in upgrading the agency's SAM computer system have led to severe problems for farmers and vets in bTB hotspots.

When asked by EFRACom Chair Anne McIntosh (Conservative) if and when the problems would be resolved, Ms Brown (pictured) replied “They are not resolved yet. We are in the process of resolving them. We should have resolved them already, so my time scale is: it is extremely urgent to resolve the problems.”

“We should have been able to go live in September with it all working properly. There are some things we have done that make it not entirely just another case of us getting stuffed and spending a huge amount of money on something that has not worked.” she added.

However, Mr Neil Parish MP (Conservative), who was a farmer prior to his entry into politics, sharply criticised ‘huge problems getting licences to move cattle that are going to slaughter’ before asking Ms Brown “Bluntly, why is it that, in the 21st century, the Government put in a system that they pay good money for and it does not damn well work?” 

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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.