Publishing in the journal Scientific Reports a group of researchers have assessed fertility in a group of dogs and report a decline in sperm motility since 1988 and suggest a potential link to the presence of certain chemicals. read more

More reaction to the horsemeat scandal, on topics concerning veterinary science. read more

Defra announced the latest results in testing slaughtered horses for bute (phenylbutazone). The presence of bute was confirmed in 8 samples out of 206 tests. read more

The SMC asked a number of food science and equine experts to come and talk about the scientific aspects of the current horsemeat scandal, including issues around food safety, traceability, toxicology and DNA testing. read more

The culling of badgers has become a polarised and political debate. We brought together a number of experts who, whilst not necessarily agreeing on the interpretation of the data, came to the SMC to discuss the evidence behind these important issues. read more

Schmallenberg virus arrived in the UK last autumn and since early this year has resulted in deformities of lambs and calves born in the south and east of England.
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Following an SMC briefing on the Schmallenberg virus infecting UK farms, further expert comments were released. read more

To accompany a background brieifing the SMC ran on the emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus, comments from the speakers and a Fact Sheet on the virus were sent out. read more

Leading scientists in virology and veterinary epidemiology were invited to the SMC for a background briefing on the Schmallenberg virus, an emerging livestock disease first detected in Germany that is infecting British farms and causing dramatic deformities in newborn lambs and calves. read more

The emerging livestock disease caused by the Schmallenberg virus hit the headlines after infecting a substantial number of British farms and causing major birth defects in sheep and cattle. read more

A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases identified a new strain of MRSA with a different genetic makeup from previous strains and which was found in milk from dairy cows, raising implications for MRSA sources and detection in future. read more

A new paper published in Science improved understanding of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) transmission between cattle and may offer the potential for alternatives to culling by allowing more effective identification of infected animals. read more

The Zoological Society of London has been facing a difficult decision over whether to introduce a new male gorilla to its group. The death of the previous male left three females, one pregnant, whose welfare may suffer in the absence of a male. However, with the introduction of a new male comes a risk of infanticide for the pregnant female’s offspring. Experts from ZSL came to the SMC to announce the result of their decision. read more

With livestock diseases posing a real and growing threat to global food security and livelihoods in developing countries, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID) have announced £13M of major new research projects to tackle the livestock disease threat. The Chair of the initiative came to the SMC along with leading scientists to launch the programme and discuss the threats posed by livestock disease. read more

This briefing launched the first UK national survey of sheep allowing experts to work out exactly where the country’s sheep are located, allowing protection of breeds vulnerable to devastating losses from diseases like foot and mouth. read more

Irish pork products were withdrawn from sale across Europe as a precautionary measure after high levels of the chemicals were discovered in meat from the country. However, the risk assessment suggested no immediate risk to humans. The incident was believed to have been caused by contamination of animal feed. read more

The Government has decided not to press ahead with plans for a cull of badgers to control bovine tuberculosis, following advice from the Independent Scientific Group, which was set up to examine evidence on the issue. read more

The Science Media Centre teamed up with a number of veterinary experts to brief journalists on developments in veterinary medicine and surgery, including whether any these advances can be applied to human medicine. read more

The first case of bluetongue disease, a midge-borne viral infection of cattle, was reported at a farm in Suffolk, leading to restrictions on the movement of cattle in the area. read more

A fresh outbreak of the disease was discovered at a farm in Surrey, the same strain of the disease as that of the previous outbreak in the area in August. read more