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Call for world governments  to destroy ivory stockpiles
A 3.5 tonne stockpile of seized ivory was destroyed in France on Thursday (6).
A 3.5 tonne stockpile of seized ivory was destroyed in France on Thursday (6).

France destroys 3.5 tonnes ahead of Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Under the shadow of the iconic Eiffel Tower, 3.5 tonnes of ivory has been crushed and incinerated, is a move aimed to bring an end to the killing of elephants.

The destruction of the ivory by the French Government, comes ahead of the Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, in London on Wednesday and Thursday (February 12 and February 13).

International wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation (BFF) has welcomed the move.

Its president, Will Travers OBE said: “By destroying this ivory, France is sending two key messages to the global community: that the illegal ivory trade is completely unacceptable and that ivory should never be allowed to enter the marketplace, where it fuels demand and contributes to the death of both elephants and the wildlife rangers trying to protect them.”

The BFF is now urging other Governments to destroy their growing stockpiles of seized ivory.

It said corruption in some countries is seeing some ivory sold back to traffickers. 
In June 2012, Gabon burnt its entire 4.8 tonne stockpile. A year later the Philippines crushed almost 5 tonnes, while the United States crushed almost 6 tonnes in November last year. Six tonnes of ivory was crushed by China last month.


“As many as 50,000 elephants a year are being brutally poached for their ivory tusks”,  Mr Travers said.

“It is the responsibility of the global community to stamp out this trade immediately.  Destroying stockpiles and removing them from future use is a vital step in this process. 

"The next step is to raise the necessary funds to implement the African Elephant Action Plan – a blueprint for elephant conservation across the African continent which has been approved by the 178 Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and adopted by all 38 African elephant range States.

"As far as I am concerned, a future without elephants is a truly appalling prospect and we simply must find the funds to implement the Action Plan before it is too late.”  




For more information on the ivory trade, visit www.bloodyivory.org

To help fight the crisis, visit www.bornfree.org.uk

Image courtesy of the Born Free Foundation

 

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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."