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Don’t dump pumpkins after Halloween, public urged
“Pumpkins aren’t a natural food source for most of our native wildlife” – Chris Hogsden.

Charity warns of the harm discarded pumpkins can cause to wildlife.

The Scottish SPCA is asking people not to dump their pumpkins in wooded areas after Halloween.

Although some people believe that they are providing food to help wildlife, the charity says that pumpkins can actually be harmful.

Chris Hogsden, manager at The National Wildlife Rescue Centre, said: “Pumpkins aren’t a natural food source for most of our native wildlife and, as with any food source that is not natural, it has the potential to makes animals such as hedgehogs, foxes and badgers unwell.

“More importantly, there may be a disease risk especially if they have been decorated with man-made substances or have contained candles and other items that may not have been removed from the pumpkin shell.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

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NOAH board elected

News Story 1
 NOAH has elected its board team, as part of its annual general meeting.

Ned Flaxman, general manager at Norbrook Laboratories Ltd, retains his position as chair, which he has held since June 2023.

Caitrina Oakes (Vetoquinol) remains past chair, and Matthew Frost (Elanco) remains treasurer.

Andrew Buglass (Eco Animal Health Ltd), Oya Canbas (Zoetis) and Charlotte Covell (Virbac) are newly elected vice-chairs. Meanwhile Roy Geary (Ceva) and John Toole (Beaphar) join the NOAH Board of Management.

Dawn Howard, NOAH chief executive, said: "I congratulate all the officers and board members who have been elected or re-elected today.

"I look forward to working together to ensure that NOAH continues to deliver at the highest standard for its members." 

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News Shorts
Series two of SCOPS podcast launched

The Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) Group has launched the second series of its podcast.

The series will comprise four episodes, with topics including the sustainable use of parasite treatments, effective quarantining, administrating a mid/late season dose, and tackling resistance to multiple groups of anthelmintic.

Kevin Harrison, Gloucestershire sheep farmer and SCOPS chair, said: "The podcast is suitable for sheep farmers, vets and advisers, so please subscribe and spread the word if you enjoy the content.

"All episodes from series one are still available online, as well as the new episodes being added."

The podcast is available on the SCOPS website and other podcast platforms.