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Hong Kong to destroy 28 tonnes of ivory
Image ivory incineration
The decision to incinerate 28 tonnes of ivory has been welcomed by conservation charities.

Conservationists rejoice at major stockpile burn

Hong Kong will destroy 28 tonnes of its seized ivory stockpile, it was announced yesterday (January 23) by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee (ESAC).

After a four-hour closed meeting with Hong Kong Government officials, the ESAC agreed unanimously to incinerate the stock of ivory. A few tonnes will be retained for use in education.

Welcoming the move, the Born Free Foundation said it could not have come at a better time, with an estimated 50,000 elephants poached for their ivory in 2013.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the foundation, stressed the importance of the news: "It’s massive. The biggest destruction of illegal ivory stocks in history.

"Even a year ago, to think that China and Hong Kong would take such decisive action would have been fantasy. Are they now set to become truly global leaders in the fight against the ivory trade and poaching?"

The charity estimates Hong Kong's total stockpile at 33 tonnes, having recorded the seizure of at least 14.2 tonnes by law-enforcement agencies over the past two years alone.

Governments now need to go "the extra mile", according to Mr Travers, by supporting Africa's conservationists and rangers to ensure they get the necessary training and equipment to protect elephants from poaching.

Image courtesy of Born Free Foundation.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.