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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th March 2010
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Clampdown on Medicines
A UK inspired world-wide Interpol operation aimed at stopping the illegal trade in traditional medicines containing endangered plant and animal species has been hailed a success.

The UK’s contribution to Operation Tram saw a multi-agency group, made up of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), Animal Health, the UK Border Agency, the Metropolitan Police, and police forces across England and Scotland, seize large quantities of traditional medicines containing ingredients derived from endangered animal and plant species.

During the operation, which ran from February 1st-28th, the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit together with the UK Border Agency executed three warrants at premises controlled by a large wholesaler suspected of illegally trading traditional medicines.

In addition, Animal Health Wildlife Inspectors, local police officers and members of NWCU visited 10 premises trading in traditional medicines in Leeds, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

Numerous products containing ingredients from illegally traded wildlife were seized during the operation, and there is potential for significant enforcement action by police and the UK Border Agency once all associated investigations have been completed.

The UK was one of at least 19 countries across five continents taking part in Operation Tram, which is the first ever globally co-ordinated effort against the illegal wildlife trade. World-wide the initiative resulted in a number of arrests and the seizure of traditional medicines worth an estimated £9 million.

Chief Constable Richard Crompton, ACPO lead for the UK NWCU, said: “While the law enforcement community recognises the important cultural, historical and religious value of traditional medicines, the increased use of endangered species in their ingredients will no longer be tolerated as it places extreme pressure on their very survival and existence.”  

Nevin Hunter, Head of Compliance at the Animal Health Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service, said: “The public should be reassured that the illegal trade in endangered species will not be tolerated, and that efforts to stamp out the illegal activity that undermines efforts to trade responsibly will continue.”

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."