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Professionals invited to parrot nutrition symposium
The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour.
Keynote talks will be delivered by Chester Zoo's Lauren Samnet and Mark Vercoe.

Avian veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are being invited to attend a symposium about parrots and their nutrition, health and management when kept in captivity.

Hosted by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA), the event promises a series of talks on different aspects of parrots' nutrition, feeding, health and welfare, and an opportunity for group discussions. 

It follows the success of the PFMA's Rabbit Symposium in 2018, which brought together more than 60 pet food manufacturers, retailers, welfare organisations, vets and academics to discuss the latest science on rabbit welfare topics.

Similarly the parrot event will include a lineup of renowned avian experts including Alan Jones MRCVS, Tariq About-Zahr (DipECZM(Avian) MRCVS and Vicki Baldrey MRCVS. 

The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour. Keynote talks will be delivered by Lauren Samet (Animal Nutritionist) and Mark Vercoe (Deputy Curator of Birds) from Chester Zoo. 

Sarah Hormozi, head of science & education at PFMA said: “We are hoping to make it a worthwhile event, where parrot experts, welfare groups and parrot food industry can share their knowledge and experience. Through discussions, we will come up with collective decisions and steps forward to improve the health and welfare of parrots that are kept in captivity, especially from a diet and nutrition perspective.”

The symposium takes place at Chester Zoo on 21 September, 9.30 am to 3 pm, with registration including the symposium attendance, refreshments, lunch and admission to Chester Zoo. 

For more information and the full programme details, visit pfma.org.uk

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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Germany livestock import ban lifted

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Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.