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Hauliers warned over African swine fever risk
The advice cautions hauliers not to bring pork, wild boar meat or meat products back to the UK from affected areas.
Chief veterinary officer writes to UK transport associations 

Hauliers are being warned of the risks of bringing African Swine Fever (ASF) into the UK.

According to the National Pig Association, the UK's chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss has written to the Road Haulage Association, the British Retail Consortium, the Freight Transport Association and the Federation of Wholesale Distributors.

Ms Middlemiss is reported to have sent the associations a poster explaining why there is a heightened risk associated with ASF and what steps they can take to minimise the risk.

The advice cautions hauliers not to bring pork, wild boar meat or meat products back to the UK from affected areas. It also urges hauliers to use a secure bin to dispose of waste food, to never feed pigs or wild boar with meat or meat products, and to avoid contact with dead or sick wild boar.

Ms Middlemiss also gives instructions on how to clean and disinfect vehicles and stresses the importance for everyone travelling between the continent and the UK to take ‘several precautions to reduce the risk of ASF entering the UK’.

The poster and letter form part of continuing efforts by chief veterinary offiers to raise awareness of the risk of ASF to the UK’s pig population.

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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.