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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th May 2018
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Government Bill to uphold environmental standards announced
The new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will ‘ensure environmental principles remain central to government policy’.
Bill to ensure environmental principles remain central to policy

A new draft bill to uphold environmental standards as Britain leaves the EU will be published this autumn, the government has confirmed.

Environment secretary Michael Gove said that the new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will ‘ensure environmental principles remain central to government policy’.

A consultation is now underway on the contents of the Bill, which will create an independent body to hold the government to account for outcomes. Subject to this consultation, the body could be responsible for:

    •    providing independent scrutiny and advice on existing and future government environmental law and policy

    •    responding to complaints about government’s delivery of environmental law

    •    holding government to account publicly over its delivery of environmental law and exercising enforcement powers where necessary.

“As the Prime Minister has made clear, we will not weaken environmental protections when we leave the EU. A new Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will ensure core environmental principles remain central to government policy and decision-making,” explained Michael Gove.

“We will only achieve our aims by also creating a strong and objective voice that champions and enforces environmental standards. That’s why our Environmental Principles and Governance Bill will also create an independent and statutory watchdog. This will hold governments to account for delivering their commitments to the natural world.”

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and seeks views on the most effective way for the new body to hold the government to account. A public consultation will begin soon after the draft Bill is published in the autumn. 

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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.