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Brucellosis free status granted in NI
cow
Preparations are being made for the phased dismantling of certain parts of the brucellosis eradication scheme.
Plans to scale back control programme
 
Northern Ireland has been granted officially brucellosis free (OBF) status by the European Commission.

Agriculture minister Michelle O'Neill said this achievement is "a highly significant milestone in the history of disease eradication here."

Brucellosis is a highly contagious cattle disease characterised by abortions. It can be transmitted to humans and has serious health implications.

Northern Ireland officials are already making preparations for the phased dismantling of certain parts of the disease eradication scheme. This will then be implemented as soon as possible after the commission's decision is published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Some of the scheme has already been scaled back. In June, minister O'Neill decreased the routine testing frequency for beef herds from one to two years.

Relaxing the testing regime will mean considerable financial benefits for the industry, the taxpayer and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).

Minister O'Neill said the cooperation of farmers and stakeholders has been key to ensuring the success of the eradication programme.

"Official freedom is a remarkable achievement considering the grip that brucellosis had on the farming community just a few years ago...

"EU Commission approval of our brucellosis free status signals that the partnership approach that has been adopted in dealing with this devastating disease has worked."

Nonetheless, a surveillance testing programme for brucellosis must continue for five years after OBF status is granted. Deputy chief veterinary officer Colin Hart urged the industry not to become complacent.

"It is essential that farmers maintain their efforts to achieve excellent biosecurity standards and adopt appropriate stock replacement policies," he said.

"I would urge all herd keepers to maintain a fortress farming approach to protection of the health of their animals." 

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."