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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 27th November 2013
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EU seal trade ban upheld
Conservationists welcome decision by WTO

An EU ban on the trade in products from commercial seal hunts has been upheld by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), a move that has been welcomed by the RSPCA.

The ban in 2010 prohibited the trade of seal products from all commercial hunts, including those in Canada, Namibia and Norway, though it does not affect hunting by indigenous communities.

Animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA, WSPA and Humane Society International at the time condemned the practice of clubbing or shooting the animals for their fur  as "cruel and unnecessary".

An appeal by the Canadian government to overturn the ban was rejected by the WTO on November 25.

David Bowles, head of RSPCA public affairs, said: "This is an historic decision - it is the first time that a moral defence has been upheld in entirety and that in itself is game changing.

"This decision is not only important for animal welfare but it could also affect the way Governments treat other social issues such as improving standards on child labour going forward."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."