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: 18th January 2022
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

EFRA Committee seeks assurance on ASC
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill is to have its Second Reading in the House of Commons today (18 January).
The new Animal Sentience Committee is part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. 

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has sought assurance on the Government's new animal welfare committee, part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.

The EFRA Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustace MP, ahead of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill's Second Reading in the House of Commons today (18 January), seeking reassurance on the new Animal Sentience Committee's (ASC) power to do its job. 

Created by the Bill, the ASC will publish reports about whether animal sentience is probably considered when government policy is developed, which Ministers will have to respond to. 

Although the creation of the ASC is welcomed by the EFRA Committee, it has made further comments on the Bill, saying in its letter that the it is necessary for the ASC to have people with specific expertise and scientific knowledge.

Also stated in the letter was that the amount of time allocated for the Committee's work, 15 – 20 days per year, may not be enough to attract high-calibre candidates to the role. The MPs on the EFRA Committee have asked the Secretary of State to review the time commitment of the ASC members after its first year of operations. 

The EFRA Committee also asked Ministers to confirm that the ASC would be able to publish its reviews without requiring the approval of any government department, alongside highlighting that the ASC must have sufficient powers to gather the information it needs to do its work, or risk becoming 'toothless'. 

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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.