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European vets issue plea to Brexit negotiators
The Brexit negotiation plea highlights the vital role of vets in public goods and global societal concerns.
Plea calls for continued mutual recognition of veterinary degrees

European vets are calling on Brexit negotiators not to jeopardise animal welfare, surveillance and medicines.

The ‘Brexit negotiation plea’, issued by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), comes ahead of the next round of negotiations in Brussels. Developed with the BVA and the RCVS, it highlights the vital role of vets in public goods and global societal concerns, such as antimicrobial resistance.

“Infectious diseases don’t respect borders, so assuring animal health, public health, food safety and animal welfare require an international approach,” said FVE president Rafael Laguens. “More than ever a continued close collaboration within the European veterinary profession and with international stakeholders is essential for ensuring the interests of animals and people everywhere.”

The plea outlines five key asks of EU and UK politicians and decision makers, including continued mutual recognition of veterinary degrees and no reduction in the availability of veterinary medicines.  The organisations also ask that, for every animal or product that is imported or exported, specially trained Official Veterinarians must supervise the process to and from third countries.

“We are united with colleagues across Europe in our call to secure working rights for UK and EU vets within the Brexit negotiations,” commented Gudrun Ravetz, senior vice president of the BVA. “Vets are absolutely vital in facilitating trade - by certifying meat through to gelatine in sweets, and ensuring standards - so that consumers have confidence in the welfare and food safety of the products they choose to buy at times like this, when it’s most needed.”

RCVS president Stephen May added: “The RCVS welcomes the call from our European colleagues to protect the rights of EU-qualified vets in the UK and UK-qualified vets in the EU post-Brexit, and to maintain our high standards of animal health and welfare.

“We also welcome the continued ability for suitably qualified vets, including specialists, to have their qualifications recognised both in the EU and in the UK to ensure that the profession can continue to work and collaborate across borders, whether in practice, industry or research. We are very pleased that the FVE’s position on Brexit is broadly in line with our own Brexit Principles.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.