Cookie use on MRCVSonline
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies.
Accept Policy
Change cookie settings
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2018-09-12
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

Brexit: Report highlights growing industry concerns
None of the contributors reported feeling ‘very optimistic’ about the future of the industry post-Brexit.
Over 40 per cent feel pessimistic about the future of the industry

Ongoing uncertainty over Brexit is a source of growing concern for the animal medicines industry, a new report by NOAH suggests.

The seeming lack of government progress as we move closer to the March 2019 Brexit deadline was found to be causing grave concern.

Whilst NOAH’s latest Brexit Barometer highlighted recurring themes of uncertainty among members, there were pockets of optimism, particularly in relation to animal health and welfare. However, trade, export, public health and food production all saw a noticeable upswing in pessimism.

Key findings:
  • Nearly three-quarters of participants (73 per cent) felt very or somewhat optimistic about animal health and welfare, compared to 65 per cent on a previous survey. Meanwhile, just 14 per cent said they felt very or somewhat pessimistic, compared to 21 per cent previously.
  • Public health and food production saw the largest increase in negative sentiment, with nearly a third (32 per cent) now feeling very or somewhat pessimistic, compared to 17 per cent in the last barometer.
  • None of the contributors reported feeling ‘very optimistic’ about the future of the industry post-Brexit. Nearly half (43 per cent) said they felt very or somewhat pessimistic.

NOAH chief executive, Dawn Howard, commented: “Increasing levels of uncertainty were a key take-out in our second Brexit Barometer report back in Winter 2017, and it is concerning to see that these are continuing to rise as we move closer to the Brexit deadline.

“We are committed to supporting our members through the difficult coming months, however we do need more clarity from Government in order to secure the best possible outcome for the animal medicines industry.

“The reality of a no-deal Brexit is looming and only with Government clarity and solutions can we achieve the outcomes that we as an industry are striving for.”

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

RSPCA braced for ‘hectic hedgehog month’

News Story 1
 The RSPCA says that it is bracing itself for a ‘hectic hedgehog month’ after calls to the charity about the creatures peaked this time last year.

More than 10,000 calls about hedgehogs were made to the RSPCA’s national helpline in 2018, 1,867 of which were in July. This compares with just 133 calls received in February of the same year.

Evie Button, the RSPCA’s scientific officer, said: “July is our busiest month for hedgehogs. Not only do calls about hedgehogs peak, but so do admissions to our four wildlife centres as members of the public and our own officers bring in orphaned, sick or injured animals for treatment and rehabilitation.” 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
ASF traces found in seized meat at NI airport

More than 300kg of illegal meat and dairy products were seized at Northern Ireland’s airports in June, DAERA has revealed.

A sample of these were tested at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, resulting in the detection of African swine fever DNA fragments.

DAERA said that while the discovery does not pose a significant threat to Northern Ireland’s animal health status, it underlines the importance of controls placed on personal imports of meat and dairy products. Holidaymakers travelling overseas are being reminded not to bring any animal or plant products back home.