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Scottish SPCA pledges time to Summer Clean campaign
The Paws on Plastic campaign aims to get dog walkers involved in litter clean-up.

The charity has pledged 500 miles to the Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative. 

Staff at the Scottish SPCA have pledged 500 miles to Keep Scotland Beautiful's Summer Clean campaign.

The campaign, which is running from 28 May until 20 June, requests that people pledge time to pick up litter. Staff at the animal charity will be taking part in the Paws on Plastic initiative, which encourages people to pick up a minimum of two pieces of litter per dog walk. 

Scottish SPCA received 273 calls to its helpline specifically about animals affected by litter between January and May 2021. At almost two incidents per day, the charity is very aware of the devastating effects of litter on animals.

Chief superintendent of the Scottish SPCA, Mike Flynn, said: “We see first-hand the devastating consequences litter can have on animals. Seals and birds get caught up in fishing line or wire or animals can ingest small pieces of rubbish and choke or die.”

“We are proud to be making a difference by taking part in Paws on Plastic for the Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Summer Clean.”

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish SCPA has pledged 500 miles to keep Scotland beautiful this month. We’ve warned of a looming litter emergency and our surveys show an increase in the number of sites surveyed being severely littered – but the Scottish SCPA has seen first-hand the horrific impact litter can have on animals.”

“With the support of thousands of people across Scotland who are pledging to get outside and do some litter picking as part of our Clean Up Scotland Summer Clean this month, we know that together we can make a difference. Not only will removing litter from our country help protect our wildlife and domestic animals from potential injury, it will also help our own health and wellbeing and that of our economy.”

More information on Keep Scotland Beautiful's Summer Clean campaign can be found at keepscotlandbeautiful.org

 

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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.