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Views sought on new food labelling system
Defra has launched a Call for Evidence to collect views on a new food labelling system.
Government launches Call for Evidence seeking public opinion on animal welfare standards.

The UK Government is preparing to introduce a new food labelling system to help consumers better identify and support high animal welfare standards.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that new labels would give consumers better information and help them make more informed choices about the food they eat. 

The Department has launched a Call for Evidence seeking public opinion on the potential scope, regulation, format, and enforcement of a new labelling scheme, as well as the animal welfare standards that might underpin it. 

Announcing the move, environment secretary George Eustice said: “British farmers produce food to an exceptionally high standard of animal welfare, and consumers have come to expect nothing less.

“Now that we have left the EU, we have an opportunity to look at food labelling – and whether the information that we give to shoppers helps them make informed choices. 
This call for evidence is a first step in ensuring that we fully meet consumers’ needs, and fly the flag for the high standards for which our farmers are renowned.”

The BVA has long campaigned for clear animal welfare labels on UK food items and believes it could encourage consumers to buy from British producers. 

In 2020, the Organisation published a comprehensive policy outlining 67 recommendations to improve the welfare of animals at slaughter. Among them include the clear labelling of meat from animals that have not been stunned before slaughter, with the information readily available to those who want it. 

BVA senior vice president Simon Doherty said: “With millions of animals slaughtered each year to provide us with the food we eat, we have a responsibility to provide them with a life worth living and a humane death.

“Our updated position aims to do just that by building on existing legislation and guiding the industry in a direction that better protects the welfare of animals destined for the food chain." 

The consultation, entitled ‘Labelling for animal welfare: call for evidence’ will remain open for 12 weeks, closing at 9:30 am on 6 December 2021.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.