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The current re-evaluation of responsibility and cost sharing between the public and private sectors with reference to animal health and welfare (AHW) would be improved by a greater understanding of the contributions made at farm level. This knowledge would facilitate the design of a cost-sharing system which best balances technical, economic and political objectives. This paper presents a framework by which the farm-level investment in AHW can be assessed. An evaluation of data available for the framework was made and, as a benchmark, an estimate of total expenditure on veterinary medical inputs for commercial agricultural holdings in England calculated. In 2010/2011 it is calculated that farmers on commercial holdings in England spent £230 million on veterinary medicines and fees, with an additional £160 million being spent for horses kept on non-commercial holdings. By contrast, for 2012/2013, Defra budgeted £277 million on AHW. The results presented emphasise the critical importance of generating sufficient evidence to support the development of an efficient, equitable and sustainable AHW strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights the international conference on exotic and wild animal medicine held in London, England. Topics covered in the event; Investigation on animal disease, diagnosis and treatment; Presentation of papers related to animal health.

A questionnaire was designed to investigate calf health and welfare on dairy farms in the south west of England with regard to the degree of compliance with the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000. The level of veterinary involvement in calf rearing and management on dairy farms in the south west of England was also assessed. The questionnaire was sent to 32 large animal practices in the catchment area of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency-Langford. Compliance with the regulations was found to be variable. The requirements for the isolation of sick calves, provision of bovine colostrum within six hours of birth, the provision of fresh, clean water and restrictions concerning tethering were not well complied with. However, the requirements for twice-daily feeding and inspection, visual and tactile contact between calves, access to forage and the provision of clean, dry bedding were well complied with. The results also suggested that there was some lack of veterinary input into the health and welfare of calves on dairy farms visited by the practices routinely and non-routinely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the meeting of the Institute for Animal Health that was held at the Royal Society in London, England on May 9, 2008 is presented. Topics include the tracking of the emergence and global spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the difficulties presented in controlling FMD outbreaks in South Africa, the difficulties of dealing with endemic FMD and advances in FMD diagnostics.

The article focuses on the establishment of an Animal Health and Welfare Boards for England (AHWBE) by the British government in April 2011. It says that AHWBE, chaired by Michael Seals, is aimed at the collaboration of experts from animal welfare, veterinary profession, and the government to make policy recommendations affecting animal's health and welfare. Moreover, the meeting of the Veterinary Policy Group of British Veterinary Association (BVA) in March 2012 is discussed.

The article profiles Clayton Jones, one of the elected honorary fellows of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1965 and began his career there as a house surgeon. He is currently a full partner at Cinque Ports Vet Associates and ran a busy referral diagnostic service and had been an effective examiner at majority of the British veterinary schools.

Cites the author's views concerning the new animal movement regime for England. Discussion of the biosecurity measures that will be associated with the animal movement regime; Link of the animal movement regime to a parallel commitment from the farming industry; Focus on the need for practitioner involvement in the government strategies for disease surveillance and animal health and welfare.

The article reports on the move of the British Cattle Veterinary Association to launch a new format for its annual congress in Torquay, England. Three keynote speakers delivered lectures on subjects ranging from mastitis through to the use of economic data in dairy practice. An update on the animal health situation in the region was presented during the meeting.

A sample of organic dairy farms were recruited as part of a study investigating the potential benefits of animal welfare assessment benchmarking, which is used as a tool for health and welfare planning in England. The study tested the hypothesis that benchmarking, through identifying areas of weakness of a farm, will allow forward planning for welfare improvement. The welfare assessment involved a sequence of observations. The observations included counting the number of cows considered to be idling, assessment of rising restrictions, and measuring the flight distance of randomly selected animals. The animals' body condition was scored, and they were assessed for cleanliness, coat condition, rumen fill and signs of injury or trauma.

Information on topics that were discussed in the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Congress held in Liverpool, England. Several issues that were discussed includes animal health, European Animal Health Law, and disease preparedness. As mentioned, the meeting was attended by the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE).

The article discusses two cases of suspected white-nose syndrome (WNS) in hibernating bats in Somerset, England. The first involved greater horseshoe bats found dead in a barn hiberculum during February/March 2009. The second case involved two brown long-eared bats found in a house roof space in April 2009.

Information about the Veterinary Practice Management Association (VPMA) congress held on January 22 to 24, 2009 at the Nottingham Belfry hotel in England is presented. Topics include the decreasing consumer spending due to the recession and credit crunch, financing strategies for a practice and combating decreasing clients and surviving the downturn. The speakers include Dennis Turner, Pippa Reffold and Steve Beddall.

Reports on the issues discussed during a meeting held by the British Veterinary Association Council in London, England. Formulation of a policy on animal medicine's distribution; Persons responsible for the regulation of veterinary profession; Provision of advice to farmers on dealing with farm emergencies.

Announces the plans of England-based University of Nottingham to open a new veterinary school. Applications sought for the post of Foundation Dean for the school; Goal of the school to provide a new approach to veterinary education and research.

Information on several topics discussed at the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) conference on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) disease held in Surrey, England on September 13-15, 2011 is presented. Topics include history and active monitoring of the disease as well as the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) outbreak. The event featured Bob Will of the National CJD Surveillance Unit in Edinburgh, and Gerald Wells, retired neuropathology head of AHVLA.

Information about the 15th annual conference of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) held September 2-4, 2009 in London, England is presented. VLA chief executive Peter Borriello discussed his report entitled "Germs for Beginners." Broadcaster and journalist Vivienne Parry offered tips for using the media as a tool to inform the public.

In this article, the author discusses the establishment of a new collaborative center at Cranfield University, which is dedicated to helping the Government understand natural and environmental risk in England. The author indicates that the center represents one of the first activities to be accredited under a collaborative research program with relevance to environmental issues and animal diseases. Also mentioned is the move of Defra to transfer responsibility for animal health to the industry.

The article presents calendar of events involving various veterinary societies in England for the month of January 2007. Central Veterinary Society will hold its meeting on January 23. A meeting of the Lancashire Veterinary Association will be on January 23. Lakeland Veterinary Association will hold its meeting on January 24.

Reports on the opening of facilities for the care, treatment and accommodation of both small and large animals at Cambridge veterinary school. Features of the Peter Jackson Farm Animal Medicine Center; Specialist operating theaters; Facilities.

Jon Huxley and colleagues evaluated the benefits of benchmarking health and welfare in organic dairy herds of farmers in England. They also evaluated the challenges in achieving uniformity of method in certification. Benchmarking, to establish comparisons of specific health and welfare factors on different farms, is a potentially valuable tool for identifying and acting upon areas of weakness. Observations of behavior, body condition and lameness were made on fully organic units in south-west England. The authors noted that further studies will assess the impact of the benchmarking process on farms.