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75 per cent of rats 'resistant to poison'
Three quarters of rats in parts of West building up resistance

An increasing number of rats in parts of West England are becoming more resistant to commonly sold poisons, scientists at Huddersfield University have found.

Researchers from the university have said that roughly 75 per cent of rats in Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire had built up a resistance, with the most serious mutations affecting rats in Bath and Wiltshire.

Experts have attributed this rise to the incorrect use of poisons where the dosages are too low, which mean the rats which are resistant to the poison are fattened up by the bait. They then survive and go onto mate with other resistant rats, thereby creating a generation of rats resistant to existing poisons.

Although mutations have been found in many areas of the UK, this study marks the first time the extent of the mutation has been measured in the west.

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.