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Bee testing takes place in Scotland
Health checks provide insight to valuable insect

Scotland's first ever bee health survey has taken place, to help inform future decisions relating to bee health.

The survey was conducted with the help of 10 per cent of Scotland's beekeepers, involving inspections and testing throughout the country.

Samples from 60 adult bees from each site were taken, as well as a questionnaire completed by each beekeeper and a floor sample tray from each apairy.

Results will provide a snapshot of the nation's bee health, and will help when making decisions about the treatment of diseases, pests and emerging threats to the insect.

The bee health check comes after a Honey Bee Health Strategy for Scotland, which was developed by the Scottish Government in order to track the country's bee population.

"Bees have a vital role to play in our ecosystem," said Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse. "Not just because they produce honey and other products, but because of their valuable contribution to the pollination of many crops and wild plants.

"Bees can also be an early warning system for other problems which may be developing in our environment. That is why it is important that we monitor bee health and ensure our bees stay healthy, particularly as they are susceptible to a wide variety of threats, including pets and diseases."

Testing is currently taking place at the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) labs.

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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."