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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th September 2010
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Concern Over Use of Statistics in TB Campaign
Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Christianne Glossop, has written to the Chairman of the Badger Trust to express her concerns at the way the Trust is using the TB National Statistics in their campaigning.

According to Dr Glossop, while recently there has been a welcome decline in the monthly TB statistics, the historical trend is still upward. The assertion by the Badger Trust that the fall in the numbers is “in line with longer-term statistics showing a consistent downward trend of about seven percent over the last two and a half years both in Wales and Great Britain as a whole” is therefore untrue.

In her letter to the Badger Trust, Dr. Glossop said: “While any reduction in the TB statistics is welcome, it would be premature to suggest a turning point has been reached, based on the available data. Statistics must be used and interpreted with care and the TB statistics need to be analysed over time to observe a trend. TB is a long term epidemic and historically the trend has been upwards. We have seen short term falls before – for example in 2004 and 2006.

   “As much as we would like to take credit for the recent decrease observed in the Welsh TB statistics, it is far too early to say whether the stricter cattle controls, increased testing and our zero tolerance approach to not complying with regulations are making a difference."  

In her letter the Chief Vet included charts of the number of animals slaughtered and the number of confirmed new incidents each quarter for Wales and the whole of Britain from 2007 to 2010 extracted from the National Statistics. The charts reinforce the danger of trying to identify short term trends and turning points in the presence of such huge variation.

The main picture is a highly variable series with large variations around any underlying trend. The main messages are:
  • The levels of TB remain unacceptably high;
  • The number of animals slaughtered in quarter 4 2008 and quarter 1 2009 seem high compared to the rest of the series, particularly in Wales;
  • Results for later 2009 and 2010 are broadly in line with similar periods in 2007 and 2008.
Dr. Glossop said that she was pleased that the Trust supported the cattle measures that the Welsh Assembly Government have put in place within the pilot area in west Wales, as the TB Eradication Programme has recognised from the outset that these stricter controls will play an important part to reduce the risks of spreading bovine TB.

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SPVS and FIVP launch VSA survey

News Story 1
 SPVS and FIVP have collaborated to launch a short survey about the proposed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

The survey will ensure that each organisation's submission accurately represents the experiences of practising veterinary professionals. It will also explore awareness, use and perceived value of the roles undertaken by the RCVS.

It takes around 5-10 minutes to complete, and all responses are anonymous. The survey can be completed here until Thursday, 19 March 2026. 

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.