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Greyhound review 'a missed opportunity'
Racing greyhounds
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has long argued that the current greyhound welfare regulations do not go far enough.


Battersea Dogs & Cats Home responds to Post Implementation Review

Battersea Dogs & Cats home has joined those welfare charities concerned about Defra's long-awaited review of the welfare of racing greyhounds.


The charity is particularly concerned about agreements with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) to deliver required improvements in areas like trainers' kennels, where greyhounds spend a large proportion of their time.

"These agreements do not even extend to the "independent" tracks where the prospect of welfare improvement is now even more remote," said Peter Laurie, Battersea's director of operations.

"Only time will tell whether GBGB will honour its commitments, but with no prospect of publication of data until 2018 and no firm commitments that Regulation will follow it is hard to be optimistic."

Published last week (15 September), the Post Implementation Review of the 2010 Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations reviews the current regulations to see how effective they have been.

Responding to the review, Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust veterinary director, said she was 'deeply concerned' that Defra had failed to take notice of advice from welfare charities.

She added the government were not treating the issue with the severity it deserves. "Their proposed changes are minimal and lack the urgency needed to improve the industry," she said.

The regulations were first introduced to improve the welfare standards of racing greyhounds by establishing a set of minimum welfare standards and to improve the traceability of greyhounds during and after their racing life.


While Battersea Dogs & Cats Home say the regulations have delivered some notable welfare improvements since their introduction, it has long argued that they do not go far enough.


"The report was the perfect opportunity for the Government to improve the welfare of that nation's racing greyhounds yet it represents a very disappointing missed opportunity," said Peter.

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.