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AHDB backs BVD elimination programme
cows
The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year.
Supporting programme with £60,000 of funding

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is backing a major initiative to help eliminate bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) by extending the existing BVD Free programme in England.

The AHDB's dairy division (DairyCo) and beef and lamb division (EBLEX) is supporting the extended programme with £60,000 of funding.

The programme is expected to be launched in England later this year, and will work closely with similar BVD programmes operating in Scotland and Wales.

The RVC estimates the impact of BVD on English dairy and beef sectors to be over £11 million per year - with the impact doubling to over £22 million in a 'worst case scenario'.

“BVD adds significant cost through its ill effects on fertility and health," says Gwyn Jones, DairyCo chairman.

"Eliminating BVD virus will not only improve health, welfare and production efficiency but contribute to our aim of reducing the need to use antimicrobials through better health.

“I passionately believe that this is a goal that is not only right for the dairy industry but is achievable if everyone works together”.

EBLEX chairman Stuart Roberts added: “Beef farmers are particularly vulnerable to the effects of BVD which can potentially wipe out one year of the productive life of beef suckler cows either because they do not get in calf or they produce a persistently infected calf which then dies before reaching a marketable weight.

“BVD elimination will not only improve individual suckler herd outputs in the short term but through less pneumonia and other health effects will yield industry-wide long-term benefits”.

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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.