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NGOs unite to end wild animal performances
A ban on the use of wild animals already exists in circuses across many EU countries.

Report calls for a ‘swift and humane end' to animals in entertainment

Animal welfare organisations across Europe are joining forces to put an end to the use of wild animals in entertainment.

A coalition of 16 NGOs, including Born Free, Eurogroup for Animals and the Federation of Veterinarians in Europe (FVE), met in Brussels to launch the coalition together with a new report.

The report shows that although a ban on the use of wild animals already exists in circuses across many EU countries, there are no outright bans on the use of wild animals in television and film.

The coalition are now calling on Member States to ensure the use of wild animals in performance is brought to a ‘swift and humane end’.

“Through this collaborative approach, efforts will concentrate on achieving expedite bans in the remaining countries where this practice is still legal,” commented Born Free’s programme manager, Daniel Turner. “Wild animal performances have no place in modern European society."

The coalition are concerned that the use of wild animals in performance inevitably impacts negatively upon that animal’s welfare.

They also fear that the use of wild animals in entertainment demeans the natural attributes of animals, which are often required to perform behaviours far removed from the natural behaviour of wild counterparts.

Jan Maarten, director of FVE added: “It’s simply impossible to adequately meet the physiological, mental and social needs of the animals in travelling circuses. There are no good reasons to justify the prolongation of such practices.”

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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.