Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th July 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Crustaceans considered for Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
Invertebrates are not currently protected under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
The Government are considering banning the practice of boiling lobsters alive under the Bill.

The UK Government is considering a ban on boiling lobsters alive as a part of its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.

The Bill does not currently cover invertebrates, however, if the Government goes through with the ban, it is likely that a clause will be added to the Bill, which is now going through the House of Lords.

This consideration follows requests from various animal welfare charities, asking for lobsters to be killed in a more humane manner than boiling them alive, including chilling them in the cold air or with ice, or stunning them with an electric shock. 

The ban has been urged on by several animal welfare groups interested in sentience recognition for crustaceans, including the organisation Crustacean Compassion, who called on Michael Gove to protect decapod crustaceans in animal welfare law. This call was signed by several people, including celebrities such as comedian Bill Bailey, alongside scientists, veterinary surgeons, academics, and others. 

The Conservative Animal Welfare foundation has also urged ministers to include crustaceans in the Sentience Bill.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."