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BVA support for badger culls is "fragile"
badger
Mr Blackwell said he is disappointed that this year's culls were not monitored by an independent body.
President urges Defra not to take BVA's support for granted

BVA's president John Blackwell has implied the organisation may withdraw its support for badger culling unless it is shown to be humane, effective and safe.

"We have made it very clear to Defra that our ongoing support should not be taken for granted," said Mr Blackwell in a statement.

Pilot culls began in Gloucestershire and Somerset last year, with the support of the BVA. However, a report by an independent expert panel (IEP) found them to be inhumane and ineffective.

Mr Blackwell added: "We have made it clear that we cannot continue to support the use of controlled shooting to deliver culling unless it can be demonstrated that it can be delivered humanely, effectively and safely."

A number of recommendations were made by the panel, which BVA called on Defra to implement before giving its support to the second year of the culls. However, after repeated calls to the secretary of state, the 2014 culls were not monitored by an independent panel.

"It is no secret that some of our members are frustrated by the lack of independent analysis this year and we are disappointed that it has not been put in place to give confidence to our members and the wider public."

Some members criticised the BVA for its initial support for the culls, however Mr Blackwell said the association bases its positions on evidence, "reflecting the wide range of expertise within our membership".

BVA Council made the decision to continue supporting the culls in their second year, however Mr Blackwell said the association "always recognised that this was a fragile consensus".

When the data has been published by Defra, the BVA will carry out its own assessment to determine whether the second year of culls has been humane and effective.

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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.