Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Volunteers sought to tackle wading bird decline
Since 1994, the population of curlew in Scotland has fallen by 61 per cent.
Initiative to halt fall in curlews, lapwings and oystercatchers

Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has issued an urgent call for volunteers to help tackle the mass decline of wading birds in Scotland.

The College says that since 1994, the population of curlew has fallen by 61 per cent, lapwing by 53 per cent and oystercatcher by 40 per cent.

The Working for Waders initiative, set up by the Scottish Government, aims to encourage new activities to halt and reverse these declines.

Earlier this year, SRUC helped to facilitate workshops that identified the need to:

  • deliver results-led collaborative action on the ground
  • collate data and identify hot spots and zones for waders
  • raise awareness of the plight of waders and develop and share best practice to reverse declines.

The College is now looking for volunteers to join these action groups and help develop recommendations as to how they can be delivered.

Davy McCracken, chair of the Working for Waders Facilitation team said: “Over this winter, we are focusing on two main goals: to identify and highlight where actions for waders are already being taken on the ground, and to flesh-out what needs to be done in practice to take forward three key actions identified by participants at the wader workshops.

“To achieve these goals we need the support and engagement of all those concerned about wader declines in Scotland.”

For further details about the initiative and to register your interest visit http://www.moorlandforum.org.uk/contact-us indicating which of the three groups you would like to contribute to.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'