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Fireworks petition delivered to UK Government
The petition calls for an urgent review into the existing, outdated fireworks regulations

Petition backed by one-third of a million people

A petition calling on the UK government to restrict the use of fireworks has been delivered to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

Signed by 358,000 people, the petition calls for an urgent review into the existing, outdated fireworks regulations. It comes weeks after the OPSS said it has ‘no plans’ to review the existing regulation, despite clear widespread public concern.

“Another year and more animals are needlessly suffering despite repeated calls to the UK Government to end this madness,” said Julie Doorne from FAB Firework Abatement UK, who set up the petition. “This petition highlights the strength of feeling around this important issue and that there is widespread public support for regulations to be changed.”

Besides one-third of a million people signing the petition, some 7,000 people have also backed the RSPCA’s call to email the Government to act on changing firework regulations.

“We want to see the UK Government listening to people and strengthening the existing law and restricting the use of fireworks to traditional days of the year like bonfire night,” said RSPCA campaign manager Holly Barber, who delivered the petition with Julie Doome.

“This year - just like in previous years - our emergency line has been inundated with hundreds of calls from pet owners concerned about their terrified animals during the fireworks. This is totally avoidable, and the UK Government need to step up and act to prevent any further animal suffering.”

The RSPCA would like the private use of fireworks to be restricted on all but four days of the year; Diwali, November 5, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year. It would also like the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks for public sale reduced from 120 decibels - above the human pain threshold for noise - to 97 decibels.

A Westminster Hall debate on Monday 26 November will take place on Monday (26 November) where it is hoped MPs will echo public sentiment for an urgent review.

Image (C) RSPCA.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.