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Discusses the Animal Procedures Committee's report on the cost-benefit assessment conducted under the Animals Act 1986 of Great Britain. Objectives of the cost-benefit assessment; Committee's view on experiments involving animals; Factors that are important in cost-benefit assessment; Basic errors in study design of several published papers.

The future direction of veterinary training and research in the UK provided an important theme at this year's conference of the Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers (AVTRW), held in Scarborough from April 14 to 16. Implementation of the recommendations of the 1997 Selborne report on veterinary research, the Government's Veterinary Training and Research Initiative and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' proposed framework for veterinary education and training were among the key issues discussed during the meeting. In addition, around 120 research papers were presented in themed sessions covering a variety of topics, including food safety and public health, zoonoses and bacteriology, veterinary pathology and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. INSET: Application of evidence-based veterinary medicine.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a review of the employment status of veterinarians in Great Britain. Fees for veterinary services; Subject of veterinary training.

Reports on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council's approval of a guidance for veterinary surgeons undertaking kidney transplants in cats. Variety of opinion on transplantation among Council members; Concern on the limitations of the proposed guidance.

Background: Dystocia has serious consequences for both mother and offspring. This study therefore aimed to identify risk factors for dystocia in vaginally delivered spring born beef calves in Great Britain (GB). Methods: Information on calving assistance, calf sex, birthweight, breed, twinning, dam parity and body condition score (BCS) was collected from 1131 calves across 84 GB farms. Variables were modelled against calving assistance as a binary response variable. Results: Twins (Odds Ratio [OR] = 5.45), Charolais calves (OR = 3.24), calves from primiparous dams (OR = 5.75) and male calves (OR = 1.75) were at significantly increased risk of requiring calving assistance across all models. Calves born to cows classed as thin (BCS < 2.5/5) were identified in the univariate analysis and in one of the multivariate models (OR = 1.92) as having an increased likelihood of dystocia. Conclusions: Most beef herds have limited scope to manage cows on the basis of fetal gender and number. However, calf breed, dam body condition and management of primiparous dams can be manipulated to reduce the risk of dystocia and improve supervision. Poor body condition is a novel risk factor for dystocia in beef cows and worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that most of slaughterhouses inspected in Great Britain were operating to animal welfare standards, according to the Food Standard Agency (FSA). Topics discussed include the commonly areas for improvement in animal welfare such as verification, monitoring, and documentation, the animal welfare breaches, and the insights of Jason Feeney, chief operating officer of FSA, on slaughterhouse inspections.

The article presents the candidates for the 2015 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council elections in Great Britain, including Niall Connell, Joanna Dyer, and Tim Greet.

Information about several papers discussed at the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Animal Welfare Foundation Discussion Forum held on May 14, 2012 on the use of animals for human benefit is presented. Topics include the manipulation of the appearance of dairy cattle, educating children about animal welfare in schools in Austria, and animal welfare problem. The forum featured several speakers including David Pritchard, Andrew Coe, and David Martin.

Focuses on the issues discussed at the council of the British Veterinary Association's meeting on December 8, 2004, in London, England. Intention of the association to pursue a more proactive role; Updates on the British government's animal health and welfare strategy; Veterinary Medicines Directorates' proposals on the classification of veterinary medicines.

Highlights the British Equine Veterinary Association's (BEVA) congress which was held in the International Convention Centre in Birmingham from September 10-13, 2003. Outline of BEVA's concerns relating to the practical aspects of implementing the proposed legislation for equine passports in Great Britain; HRH the Princess Royal's announcement of the launch of BEVA's evidence-based medicine research program; Presentation of BEVA Welfare award; Sponsors.

The author discusses aspects of handling complaints in veterinary services Great Britain. The author mentions the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' (RCVS) trial of an alternative process for resolving disputes. The author also notes its aim in searching for satisfactory solution for dealing with complaints on the services provided by surgeons.

The article deals with the factors influencing the decision of students to take a veterinary course and looks at ways to increase student participation in such a course in Great Britain. It references a study by Jane Tomlin et al. of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, England published within the issue. The study found that the desire to work with animals is one factor that motivates students to choose veterinary medicine as a career. The author notes the need to inform the general public about the opportunities offered by a veterinary degree.

In this article, the author discusses the changes in the government's policy on food security in Great Britain. He mentions the report published by the Cabinet Office, which discusses the need to safeguard future food supplies and the discussion paper from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on ensuring food security. He contends that the documentation describes the government actions for food production and security.

The article cites a study which revealed that the prevalence of sheep infected with classical scrapie has declined by 40% in Great Britain between 2003 and 2007. The study, conducted by researchers at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH), showed that the prevalence of the disease in the country remained fairly constant until 2003. Simon Gubbins of IAH's Mathematical Biology Group claims that the decline was driven by various scrapie control schemes, including Ram Genotyping Scheme in 2001.

The article offers news briefs related to veterinarians in Great Britain. It announces that the Association of Greyhound Track Veterinarians (AGTV) was established which aims to address issues affecting the greyhound industry. The magazine expresses its gratitude to all reviewers of manuscripts found in its 2008 issue. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Trust is still accepting veterinary surgeons and nurses eligible for its grants for 2009 with deadline on January 21, 2009.

The article reports on the paper proposing changes to the Guide to Professional Conduct introduced by the Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in Great Britain. It states that the Council voted to accept the proposed changes, and it will be incorporated into the hard copy of the 2009 Guide. It says that among the changes accepted was an amendment to govern the operation of the RCVS Register of Veterinary Practice Premises.

The article reports on the results of the first Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) veterinary nursing examinations held using an electronic format of delivery. The results from the summer written exams for veterinary nurses were posted by the Royal College on August 14, 2008. According to the College, the pass rate from the examinations has been "excellent."

The article discusses the Cabinet Office in Great Britain's report, entitled "Food matters: Towards a strategy for the 21st century." According to the article, the report takes a broad view of food security issues. It concluded that rising demand, climate change and trade and productivity restrictions should be addressed. The report draws together evidence about long-term trends in food production and consumption.

The article focuses on the research "Food security and the UK: an evidence and analysis paper," which was produced by British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs economists at the end of 2006 in the context of the government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. The document cited that a decline in the self-sufficiency ratio of domestic production to consumption in Great Britain could lead to a reduction in agricultural production in Great Britain and Europe.

The article reports that Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has cancelled its plans to replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act. DEFRA announced the British government's decision regarding the law at a meeting of the House of Commons Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health Lord Rooker explains the reason behind the cancellation of the plan to replace the law.

The article reports on British Veterinary Association (BVA) board chairman Brian Hoskin's introduction of a consultation paper which sought the views of divisions on various areas of BVA structure and management. Council members have indicated satisfaction with the way the BVA was performing under the changed structure.

The article offers information about the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in Great Britain. Activities attended by the association's president include the International Veterinary Officers Council meeting in South Africa, a meeting with Carol Black of the Royal College of Physicians, addressing the BVA's Scottish Dinner.

The article presents news briefs related to veterinary medicine in Great Britain. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon response to a consultation paper on badger culling and bovine tuberculosis was considered and approved. It was suggested that the degree awarded by the college should continue to be accepted for registration purposes. The veterinary degrees awarded by the University of Sydney and University of Queensland should be subject to satisfactory monitoring.

The article reports on the increase in the number of manuscript submission to the journal "The Veterinary Record" during the year 2005 in Great Britain.

Reports that the development of proactive policy on the control of bovine tuberculosis (BT) had been identified as a priority for the British Veterinary Association (BVA). Association's discussion of what issues should be highlighted in the policy; Other veterinary associations collaborating with the BVA with regards to controlling BT.

Reports that the Animal Procedures Committee is seeking views on how data are collected and presented in the Home Office's annual report of the statistics and procedures on living animals in Great Britain. Aim to simplify the statistics gathered; Contact information for a copy of the consultation paper.

Provides information related to the revised guidance for Named Veterinary Surgeons (NVS) employed under the Animals Act 1986 in Great Britain. Introduction of the revised guidance by Judy McArthur Clark, chairman of the working party that had produced the document; Changes to the Act and to relevant Home Office guidance since its original publishing; Consultations with NVS and others in compiling the new guidance and a draft.

Reports on issues related to the Competition Commission's recommendations regarding the standards for veterinary medicine practice in Great Britain. Proposals for the change to the "Guide to Professional Conduct" to accommodate the recommendations; Introduction of the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines by Advisory Committee chairman Lynne Hill; Coverage of the proposed additions to the Guide to a selected recommendations of the commission.

Describes the events and commercial exhibitions which was held during the British Equine Veterinary Association congress in Birmingham from September 10-13, 2003. Chairman of the sessions; Scientific programs.

Presents updates on the British Veterinary Association, as of July 26, 2003. Approval of the accounts for the year ending December 2002 and draft budget for 2004; Reduction of officer posts; Membership.

Reports on the isolation of Clostridium tertium in cattle with enteritis in Great Britain. RNA gene analysis.

Reports that the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in pigs at a slaughterhouse in Essex, England in 2001 caused the spread of the disease in Great Britain. Spread of the virus through the movements of infected sheep.

Presents news brief concerning the British Veterinary Association in Great Britain. Membership; Internal audit group; Obituaries; Meetings.

Presents the views of veterinarians on the revision of the veterinary surgeons act in Great Britain. Support for lay membership; Support for widening the powers of the Preliminary Investigation Committee and the Disciplinary Committee; Advocacy for the separation of college membership from the right to practice.

Focuses on the national vocational qualification scheme for veterinary nurses in Great Britain. Advantages of the scheme; Problems that had been met in the implementation of the scheme; Implications of the introduction of degree courses in veterinary nursing.

Looks at the discussion of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on the British government's response to the various inquiries into the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Questions about the pursuit of a culling policy.

Focuses on the complaints to the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Great Britain. Number of complaints to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons relating to FMD.

A letter to the editor is presented about the development of the One Welfare platform in Great Britain which aims to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration in order to improve both human and animal welfare internationally, increase productivity in the farming sector, and maintain resilience and security for rural communities.