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: 1st March 2016
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

Northern Ireland animal welfare report launched
Dog in a kennel
The report includes tougher sentencing for those convicted of animal cruelty.
Department of Justice and DARD publish 68 recommendations

Launched in Belfast yesterday (29 February) by the agriculture minister Michelle O’Neill and the Justice Minister David Ford, the Final Report of the Review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 includes tougher sentencing for those convicted of animal cruelty.

Sending out a clear message about an ongoing drive to address animal welfare issues, the 68 recommendations include inspecting dog breeding establishments for how they socialise animals. It also addresses the need to work with animal charities on best practise for rehoming pets.

Seamus O’Kane, BVA Northern Ireland branch president said “We are very pleased with these recommendations and the way in which DARD and the Department of Justice have worked together so quickly to put these recommendations into practice.”

BVA Northern Ireland now urges judges to take the new report into consideration for any new cases. O’Kane said: “All vets in Northern Ireland are behind Minister Ford’s message this morning – ‘Crimes against vulnerable animals are abhorrent and will not be tolerated in our society’”

BVA president Sean Wensley commented: “These are strong recommendations matched by decisive action to make the necessary changes to ensure those who mistreat and abuse animals are punished effectively by the law.

“The government in Northern Ireland has made a clear statement about how animals should be valued and this is something that is to be warmly welcomed.”

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.