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Government consulting on expansion of 2018 Ivory Act
The survey will be open until 11 September 2021.
The Government is seeking opinions on whether to extend the ban to other ivory-bearing species.

DEFRA is launching a consultation seeking views from the public, industry, and stakeholders on extending the Ivory Act to other species.

The consultation will gather opinions on whether the Government should bring forward legislation to extend the ban on the commercial dealing of elephant ivory in the UK to other ivory-bearing species.

The Ivory Act 2018, when commenced, will ban the sale, purchase, or hire of items which are made of or contain elephant ivory, regardless of the age of the item. This ban will apply to dealings which take place within the UK, and to imports and exports to and from the UK for commercial purposes. 

International environment minister Lord Goldsmith, who launched the consultation, said: “The Ivory Act is one of the toughest bans of its kind in the world and sends a clear message that we are doing all that we can to save elephants from the threat of extinction. 

“However the ivory trade is a conservation threat for other magnificent species such as the hippo, narwhal and walrus that are at threat. So I urge everyone to share their views to help ensure we can protect more animals from the grim ivory trade.”

DEFRA is consulting on three options. Firstly, extending the Ivory Act to hippopotamus ivory, and secondly, extending the Act to ivory from five CITES-listed species (hippopotamus, narwhal, killer whale, sperm whale, and walrus). 

The third option is to do nothing and continue to apply current international and domestic conservation rules.

The survey will be open for opinions until 11 September 2021, and can be accessed here

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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.