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MPs to debate live animal exports
sheep trasport
Brexit presents an 'opportunity' to give port owners the flexibility to decide whether or not to allow this trade.
Bill would allow councils to refuse live animal trade

Port owners may be given the power to refuse live animal exports, as MPs are set to debate the issue in the House of Commons this week.

Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, introduced a bill in May that would remove obstacles in the law preventing councils from banning live exports. It is now scheduled for debate in the commons on Friday (4 November).

So far this year there have been 12 sailings of 58 lorries carrying around 20,000 sheep, according to the RSPCA. Another shipment is also reported to have left Ramsgate yesterday (31 October).

Currently the trade is legal as the UK is a member of the European Union. But the RSPCA says Brexit presents an 'opportunity' to give port owners the flexibility to decide whether or not to allow this trade.

The debate was triggered by the tragic events of September 2012, when dozens of sheep died or were euthanised at the Port of Ramsgate. The AHVLA (now APHA) found the vehicle in question had been poorly loaded and overstocked, resulting in six lambs falling into the water when the floor collapsed. One sheep had a broken leg and many more were lame or had trapped limbs.

Thanet District Council suspended further shipments for a period of time as a consequence, but was later found to have breached an 1847 law and ordered to pay compensation of more than £4million.

David Bowles, head of the RSPCA's public affairs, said: "We know that port owners such as Thanet Council, and their constituents do not want the trade….

"Brexit gives them the opportunity to choose and we hope MPs and the government will recognise this in the debate."

An open letter calling on farming minister George Eustice to support changes in the law has been signed by over 75,000 people.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."