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Defra invests £8 million in wildlife
Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans)

Multi-million pound funding for conservation projects 

Environment minister Richard Benyon has announced that funding of £8 million will be dedicated to conservation and environmental projects worldwide.

The funding has been granted as part of the Darwin Initiative by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Projects in developing countries will receive £6million, while £2million will be available for projects in UK Overseas Territories.

The Darwin Initiative focuses on helping countries that are rich in biodiversity, but lack the money or technology to meet their objectives.

Since beginning in 1992, the initiative has provided funding of £97million to more than 800 projects in 150 countries.

The Darwin Plus Fund is currently supporting a variety of projects in the Overseas Territories, such as monitoring seabirds in the southern ocean and the control of invasive lionfish in the Caribbean.

Approximately 90 per cent of the biodiversity found within the UK and Territories combined, is found within the UK's 14 Overseas Territories.

Applications for funding opened on June 19. For more information, visit the Darwin Initiative website.

Image credit: Nick Hobgood

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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. 

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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.