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Are livestock animals suffering due to legislation?
The debate over whether the law is having a negative impact on livestock welfare, will take place at the Animal Welfare Foundation forum next month.
The debate over whether the law is having a negative impact on livestock welfare, will take place at the Animal Welfare Foundation forum next month.

Debate to take place at Animal Welfare Foundation forum

Livestock animals could be suffering extended long term pain because legislation is too vague.

The Animal Welfare Foundation is to discuss the impact of legislation surrounding animals on farms, in transport and at slaughterhouses, at its discussion forum on May 12.

Veterinary surgeon David Chennells will argue that a lack of specific legal definitions, and inconsistencies of court decisions has created uncertainty, resulting in animals with chronic lameness or minor wounds, spending too long in recovery pens.

The debate will focus on whether these animals suffer extended long-term pain on farm because of a fear of transporting them.

The forum will also discuss the psychological factors in animal hoarding cases with Fiona McEwen, from the Institute of Psychiatry, while Keith Chandler of the British Equine Veterinary Association, will lead the debate on whether improving the horse passport system will lead to better welfare.

Mike Radford, The School of Law, Aberdeen University, will open the forum discussion on What the offence of causing unnecessary suffering really means.

The forum takes place from 10am to 5pm, costs £85, and is followed by a reception in the House of Commons from 7pm to 9pm. 

For more click here

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VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk