Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th October 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

CLA welcomes MPs' support for fly-grazing Bill
Horse grazing
A recent CLA report revealed that more than 3,000 horses are being fly-grazed in England.
Control of Horses Bill passed its second parliamentary reading on Friday

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers, rural businesses and landowners, has said that it is "pleased and encouraged" MP Julian Sturdy's Private Members Bill on horse fly-grazing has passed its second reading in parliament.

The Control of Horses Bill would see the time it takes to rescue horses abandoned to fly-grazing reduced from two weeks to four days, with new powers created to allow horses to be sent to animal welfare sanctuaries.

Henry Robinson, CLA's President, said: "We're pleased and encouraged the MPs have rightly backed Julian Sturdy's Private Members Bill. CLA policy and evidence have been instrumental in moving it on to the Committee Stage, which is another step towards ensuring the law in England adequately protects both landowners and the welfare of the animals.

"Wales has already taken steps to provide such powers in the form of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, which allows local authorities to take swift and decisive action. The CLA would like to see similar powers in England, together with more effective legislation to enable landowners n both England and Wales to deal with the problem in a quicker and more cost effective manner.

"The CLA has been calling on the government to ensure Local Authorities and landowners in both nations would have the power they need to tackle fly-grazing - without collective approach the problem will simply migrate from one country or area to the next."

In September, together with a number of animal welfare charities and rural organisations, the CLA launched a report called 'Stop the scourge - time to address unlawful fly-grazing in England'. The report revealed that more than 3,000 horses are being fly-grazed in England, causing misery for horses, animal welfare organisations, landowners and Local Authorities.

Henry Robinson subsequently met with Lord de Mauley from Defra on the issue and gave oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into the causes and impacts of fly-grazing. 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.