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Profession pays tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty had a lifelong passion for animals and was a firm supporter of the work of veterinary professionals.
The RCVS and BVA have released statements following the death of The Queen at Balmoral on Thursday. 

The veterinary profession has paid tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II following her passing, aged 96, on Thursday.

Her Majesty had a lifelong passion for animals and is being remembered as a supporter of the work of veterinary professionals and educational institutions.

In a statement on its website, the RCVS said: “Like the whole of the UK, the President, Councils and staff of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons are devastated to learn of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, our loyal Patron and benefactor since 1952.

“Throughout her 70-year reign, the Queen, as a renowned animal-lover, was a steadfast supporter of both the College and the veterinary professions as a whole.

"She visited the former RCVS headquarters in 1994 for our 'Charter 150' celebrations, to mark the 150th anniversary of our original Royal Charter, and granted permission to use her name and likeness for the RCVS Queen’s Medal, the highest honour the RCVS can bestow upon a veterinary surgeon.

“We reflect upon her extraordinary legacy, service and contribution with both awe and sadness, and, along with all in the veterinary professions, our thoughts are with the Royal Family on this very difficult day.”

British Veterinary Association (BVA), BVA President Justine Shotton, said: “All of us at the British Veterinary Association are deeply saddened to learn of the death of our Patron Her Majesty The Queen.

“A dedicated public servant and a lifelong animal lover, as our Patron for more than seven decades she helped build the UK’s international reputation for high standards of animal welfare, supported the vital work of our veterinary professionals, and improved the lives of animals both here in the UK and across the world.

“We are eternally grateful for her service and our hearts and thoughts are with her family, her friends, and the nation.”

 

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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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.