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Circus animal bill to be scrutinised
EFRACom welcome written evidence on draft bill

Following draft legislation to ban the use of wild animals in circuses in England, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom), has invited interested parties to submit evidence on the draft bill.

The draft bill was published by Defra on April 16, and will make it an offence for the operator of a travelling circus to use a wild animal in a performance or exhibition in England.

Wild animals are defined in the draft bill as any animal of a kind not usually domesticated in Britain.

To allow circus operators sufficient time to adapt their businesses and arrange suitable care for their animals, the government has proposed a grace period. Therefore the ban is to come into force on December 1, 2015, by which time operators must have removed any wild animals from their circus.

Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence to EFRACom by Wednesday, May 8.

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Animal Medicines Amnesty returns this November

News Story 1
 Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty.

Organised by the Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA CA&E), the initative is supported by a range of cross-sector organisations.

Practices are encouraged to use the campaign to engage the whole practice team and raise awareness of the safe disposal of medicines with clients. Learn how your practice can get involved at rumacae.org.uk 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.