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Discussion forum expands for demand
Animal welfare event caters for wider audience

The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) is celebrating its 30th anniversary by expanding its Foundation Discussion Forum, held in May.

This year, the forum will take place at a bigger venue – One Great George Street, London – and will include additional sessions to cater for demand.

A wider audience will be able to discuss various topics that focus on the role of vets in animal welfare policy and practice.

This includes "Where next for food assurance schemes?", "The vet's role in recognising the link between abuse in animals and humans" and "Who should take responsibility for an animal's welfare when an owner no longer can?".

An additional session will look back at the AFW's work over the past three decades and what impact it has had on animal welfare.

Vets will be able to explore how they have helped to shape various policy, including welfare at slaughter, pedigree dog breeding and showing, the wild bird trade and livestock show welfare.

Tiffany Hemming, AWF chairman, said: "The Discussion Forum is always oversubscribed and this year we wanted to give more vets the chance to debate major animal welfare issues."

Ms Hemming added that charity is very proud of its "positive and practical" impact on both large and small animals, and invites all those interested in improving animal welfare to be part of the debate this year.

She concluded: "In AWF's 30th anniversary year, we celebrate the genuine improvements in animal health and welfare that have been achieved as a result of the research our small charity has funded, and the excellent Discussion Forums that have initiated welfare policies."

The Foundation Discussion Forum takes place on Monday, May 13 and tickets cost £50. Click here to book. 

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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
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.