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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]

Information about the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council meeting held at the Belgravia House, London, England on March 5, 2009 is presented. Jerry Davies, chairman of the RCVS presented a paper regarding their mission statement. Richard Stephenson talked about the need for the College to focus on animal welfare. On the other hand, Peter Jinman mentioned that RCVS must be selective regarding the high-level issues and give more emphasis on it.

Highlights the British Equine Veterinary Association congress from September 14-17, 2005 in Harrogate, England. Alteration of Veterinary Medicines Directorate's advice on the use of medicinal products in horses; Importance of the awareness of veterinary surgeons and horse owners on the change of advice; Discussion of veterinary medicines on the press conference.

The article offers information on the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) annual general meeting that was held in England on September 11, 2014. It discusses the financial and membership status of BEVA. Moreover, it mentions the results of a survey conducted by the association concerning the welfare of horses.

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.

Evaluates the effect of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Freedom Food (FF) scheme on the welfare of dairy cattle in England. Assessment of the physical condition of farms; Estimates of the incidence of disease; Improvement of the coat condition of cattle; Comparison of the incidence of mastitis in FF farms versus non-FF farms; Prevalence of lame cows and incidence of lameness in FF versus non-FF farms.

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.

The article focuses on the statement of Bill Reilly, president of British Veterinary Association (BVA), about the role of veterinarians to the public in London, England. He states that veterinarians play a vital role on the frontline of disease surveillance and control and in safeguarding the farming industry, food production and public health. He infers that promoting high standards of animal welfare was also an important part of the veterinary profession's public good functions.

The article presents the author's insight on dog welfare and the affordability and accessibility of veterinary profession in England. She comments on the issue of ownership as one of the dog's major welfare problem in the country. She suggests that the problem should be addressed and covered by the Dangerous Dogs Act, and that canine behavior education and dog ownership must be incorporated in the national curriculum.

The article announces the meeting of the Council of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) which will be held at the RCVS Belgravia House in London, England on March 2, 2005.

The article announces the annual seminar of the Transport Animal and Welfare Studies Association titled "Effective Overseas Aid: The Potential for Involvement," which will be held at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England on February 22, 2005.

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.