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Votes to end future ivory trade
ivory haul
"The decision by CITES to end these long, inappropriate and dangerous discussions about a future trade in ivory is long overdue and much to be welcomed"

Born Free welcome CITES decision following drop in elephant numbers

Votes to end a decade-long discussion over the establishment of future trade in ivory, have been embraced by wildlife charity, Born Free Foundation. The ballot took place at the conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), held its 17th meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Delegates from 20 parties voted to continue talks whilst a resounding 76 parties voted against talks, with 13 abstentions. The vote follows the recent Great Elephant Census, a survey of Savannah elephants, published earlier this month. The survey showed a 30 per cent drop in numbers over the past seven years, totalling less than 400,000 Savannah elephants.

Will Travers OBE, President and CEO of Born Free Foundation and President of the Species Survival Network said: "The decision by CITES to end these long, inappropriate and dangerous discussions about a future trade in ivory is long overdue and much to be welcomed. Of course, we must be steadfast as it still has to be ratified in the final plenary session of this meeting which takes place next week but, if it holds, then it is good news for elephants and bad news for poachers and ivory smugglers. It is one more step taken at this crucial CITES conference and I am delighted that the UK played a positive role, along with EU colleagues, in supporting the view of the majority of African elephant range states.

"Had the Parties to CITES decided to continue with talks about what a future ivory trade would look like, it would have almost inevitably stimulated poaching, given comfort to the criminal syndicates behind much of the poaching, and been totally out of step with global public opinion which seeks an end to the ivory trade."

Born Free has been campaigning for more than 30 years to stop the illicit trade in ivory and to protect and conserve Africa's elephants. For more information on the ivory trade see www.bloodyivory.org.

Image courtesy of Born Free

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.