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Council adopts scheme to tackle impulse buying
bearded dragon
EMODE classifies animals as Easy, Moderate, Difficult or Extreme, according to how challenging they are to keep.
Pet shops asked to supply EMODE leaflet to potential buyers

Brighton and Hove City Council has become the first in Britain to adopt a new scheme aimed at tackling impulse pet buying.

From January 1, 2015, pet shops in the area will be asked to provide an EMODE leaflet to anyone thinking of buying a pet.

EMODE is a tool created last year by a team of 18 vets, scientists and technicians. It aims to help potential pet owners make informed decisions by categorising animals as Easy, Moderate, Difficult or Extreme, depending on how challenging they are to keep.

The Animal Protection Agency (APA) is urging councils to take up the scheme to reduce impulse purchases. Exotic pets are often mistakenly marketed as being "easy to keep", leading to widespread animal welfare problems.

Brighton and Hove's Licensing Committee voted in the scheme at a meeting on November 20.

Stephanie Powell, committee chair and Green Party Councillor, said: "Impulse buying of pets, especially exotic animals, is the root cause of a whole raft of animal welfare and environmental problems.

"It was therefore very important for the Greens to ensure Brighton and Hove City Council genuinely tackle this issue by adopting the EMODE initiative. This is the first Council in Britain to do so and I hope many more follow our lead."

Welcoming the news, APA's director Elaine Toland, said: "As a Brighton-based organisation that helped to develop EMODE we are particularly proud that the initiative has been adopted on our doorstep and we are looking forward to pet shops taking this on.

"In my view, pet shops that hand out the EMODE leaflet signal their commitment to responsible pet selling and should inspire greater confidence in prospective purchasers.

"We are delighted that EMODE is rapidly gaining support and has also received the ‘thumbs up’ from UK central government."

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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
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.