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Will IVF save the northern white rhino?
Northern white rhino
No white rhino calves have been born since 2000.

Experts agree IVF may be the best chance for animal's survival

Veterinary experts are pinning their hopes on IVF treatment to save the northern white rhino from extinction, the Guardian reports.

During an emergency meeting on Tuesday (27 January) on the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, conversationists came to the conclusion that the best chance for the animals' survival is to harvest eggs from the remaining females, with a view to them being used for IVF in the future.

The embryo could then be implanted in the womb of a surrogate southern white rhino, a closely related rhinoceros subspecies that is less endangered.

No white rhino calves have been born since 2000.  The species has not been seen in the wild for seven years and all remaining white rhinos are under human care. Three now reside at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in central Kenya, one at Dvur Kralove in the Czech Republic, and one at San Diego Zoo in the USA.

The experts say that frozen eggs and sperm could be used to revive the animal artificially, but neither method will provide an immediate solution. This means that the northern white rhino will likely disappear, at least for a short time.

Image (C) Sheep81

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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. 

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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.