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: 21st June 2023
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

Government proposes ban on primates as pets
The new proposals would ensure that all primates in England are kept to zoo-level standards.
The new ban will ensure all primates are kept in zoo-level conditions.

The Government has set out plans effectively banning the keeping of primates as pets.

The new proposals, which are subject to a four-week public consultation, would ensure that all primates in England are kept to zoo-level standards. Further views are being sought on licensing and draft standards for private primate ownership.

The RSPCA estimates that between 1,000 and 5,000 primates are currently kept as pets in the UK.

While the Animal Welfare Act makes it illegal to keep primates without meeting their welfare needs, these new plans would tighten those rules further by requiring the primates are kept in zoo-level standards.

The latest plans come after the Government controversially dropped the Kept Animals Bill, opting instead to introduce individual legislation for the different issues it covered.

Animal welfare minister Lord Benyon said: “Today’s announcement is the start of the process of ensuring these intelligent and curious wild animals are better protected and respected. This will fulfil the Government’s manifesto commitment to ban the keeping of primates as pets."

British Veterinary Association president Malcolm Morley said: “At first reading, these proposals are a step in the right direction and we are pleased this important issue remains on the agenda. We will be responding directly to the consultation itself and look forward to examining the proposals and results of the consultation in detail.

“However, we urge the Government to ensure it engages with veterinary and zoological organisations to ensure the welfare and protection of these animals is the top priority of any legislation. These proposals would also only apply to England, so we urge the devolved nations to consider taking similar action towards a ban.”

The consultation will run until Tuesday, 18 July and, once confirmed, will be implemented under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

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

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.