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Guernsey changes wood pigeon law
pigeon
Wood pigeon is no longer classed as a pest under Guernsey hunting laws

Game bird shooters in Guernsey are being warned by police that they may be unknowingly breaking animal welfare laws if they shoot wood pigeons because of changes in legislation, the BBC reports.

A limited number of animals and birds can be hunted as game in Guernsey, including wild rabbit, the common pheasant, grey or English partridge, red-legged or French partridge, Eurasian woodcock, and the common snipe.

The State of Guernsey Guidance Document provides information on who can hunt, the places where animals can be hunted, the methods of hunting that can be used and, in certain cases the times of the year when game animals can be hunted (there is a close season for some species). Hunting with dogs and ferrets is permitted and nets and cage traps can be used. All other traps and snares are prohibited.

Wood pigeon is now defined as game and not as a pest under recent amendments. This means that it is illegal to shoot them on public land between October until the end of January.

Also added to the guidance document are greylag goose and hybrid mallard duck. They can be killed by either air rifle or shotgun on private land only, but shooters need relevant permits.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.