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Vets urge 'I'm a Celebrity' producers to review the show's treatment of animals
The BVA is urging the public to join them in calling on producers to #GetAnimalsOutofThere.

BVA raises concerns over use of animals for entertainment

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has expressed serious concerns over the use of animals in the television programme 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!', which entered its twentieth series earlier this month.

Since the show began in 2002, 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!' has received criticism from animal welfare organisations and the general public regarding its mistreatment of animals, particularly during the 'Bushtucker trial' segments of the programme.

The BVA published an open letter to the show's producers in 2019, citing examples from the programme where animals were in clear distress and compliance with the 2006 Animal Welfare Act ‘duty of care’ did not appear to have been met.

Although COVID-19 restrictions have led to a change in location for the latest season of 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!', many organisations were disappointed to learn that the show's producers did not take this opportunity to change the way animals are used in the programme.

As a response, the BVA – along with the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and The British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS) – has renewed its call to producers to review the programmes treatment of animals, using the hashtag #GetAnimalsOutofThere.

BVA senior vice president Daniella Dos Santos said: “‘I’m a Celebrity’ has had a long and chequered track record of animals showing clear signs of distress while used in tasks and as an exotics vet, I remain very concerned about the welfare of those used in this year’s series.

“The welfare of animals used on television or other media outlets should be of the highest standard as this can influence public behaviours and views on appropriate treatment of animals.”

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.