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Invasive non-native species report published

MPs call for change in law to control invasive species

Following a report on invasive non-native species, Parliament’s green watchdog has demanded that the Government implement new legal powers to tackle invasive plants and animals.

Invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed and Zebra Mussels, can be harmful to species which are native to the UK, and can also affect human health and business.

Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Joan Walley MP commented on their affects: “The growth of international trade and travel means more non-native plants and animals are being introduced into Britain than ever before and as our climate changes more species are likely to find a foothold here. Not all of these species will become ‘invasive’, but the ones that do can harm native wildlife, clog up our waterways, cause costly problems for homeowners and sometimes even harm human health.”

Wildlife legislation currently in place is unlikely to provide the level of protection now needed to control outbreaks. The Environmental Audit Committee is calling on the Government to revamp the system controlling invasive species in England and Wales.

Improved prevention, surveillance, monitoring, eradication and long-term control measures are required to fight against invasive plants and animals. Defra needs to develop a surveillance system that integrates voluntary wildlife recording with professional monitoring and identification.

It has been suggested that the Government must replicate the Scottish system of species control orders to provide a system for eradicating invasive species before they become established.

Ms Walley added: “Scotland has introduced legal powers to be able to take effective action, quickly and comprehensively, when invasive species are identified as a threat. They use ‘species control orders’ to allow access to land to establish the presence of invasive species, and to implement any necessary control measures.”

 

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.