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Government urged to take action as ear cropping petition crosses 100,000 milestone
"In recent years, vets and animal welfare charities have seen a dramatic increase in the number of dogs with cropped ears." Daniella Dos Santos.

Supporters encouraged to “keep the pressure on decision makers.”

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and The FOAL Group are calling on the government to take immediate legislative action on ear cropping, after a joint petition from the two groups surpassed 100,000 signatures.

The petition reached the 100,000 signatures milestone in less than two months after its launch. The Petitions Committee considers all petitions that have crossed the 100,000 mark for debate in parliament.

Defra responded to the petition last month, expressing its commitment to working with the #CutTheCrop and #FlopNotCrop campaign to close all legal loopholes that allow ear cropping to continue.

Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts has also tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament, calling on the Government to ban the importation of dogs with cropped ears.

BVA senior vice president Daniella Dos Santos said: “We hope to see legislation on this issue soon. With less than a month to go to the Queen’s Speech, all eyes will now be on the government to see if it has taken note of how passionately people feel about calling time on this barbaric trend.”

FOAL Group co-founder Jordan Shelley reminded supporters that the petition – which has been backed by members of the Veterinary Animal Welfare Coalition – doesn't close until 24 August.

He added: “We urge everyone to keep the pressure on decision makers by continuing to push for further signatures and use this time as an opportunity to further educate the public about the barbaric practice of ear cropping. Together we can stop the awful rise in the number of ear-cropped dogs in the UK.”

The petition, ‘Stop the rising number of ear-cropped dogs in the UK’, and the Government’s written response to it, can be viewed here.

 

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RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.