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Plans to ban wild animals in circuses announced
Draft legislation to be before Parliament in summer

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that it is presently developing legislation to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) have both signalled their support for such a ban.

DEFRA has announced that it hopes to put draft regulations before Parliament “as soon as Parliamentary time allows”, which is likely to be during summer 2012. Furthermore, the Department has also announced the introduction of a licensing scheme to ensure that wild animals in circuses are kept to certain welfare standards until such time as a full ban can be brought into force. Details of a consultation period (which will close on April 25th 2012) allowing the general public to offer their input on the licensing scheme may be viewed here.

Welcoming the announcement, President of the BVA Carl Padgett said “We welcome the announcement that the Government has acknowledged that there is no place in today’s society for wild animals being used for our entertainment and proposes to ban the use of such animals on ethical grounds...Parliament has expressed its strong desire for a complete ban and the BVA will continue to work with MPs and other welfare organisations to keep up the pressure and ensure new legislation is brought in as soon as possible.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.