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: 1st March 2012
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
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.”

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

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.