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BVA welcomes recognition of cephalopods and decapods as sentient
"These changes are a resounding win for animal welfare" - Justine Shotton, BVA president.
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has been amended to include these animals. 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) welcomes the Government's recognition of cephalopods and decapods as sentient beings, as the scope of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill has been expanded to included cephalopod molluscs and decapod crustaceans.

Announced on Friday 19 November, the changes will see cephalopods, including octopuses, squid and cuttlefish, and decapods, including crabs, lobsters and crayfish, recognised as capable of feeling emotions such as pain and distress. This recognition will protect these creatures under the new sentience laws.

BVA president Justine Shotton commented on the importance of this decision in a press release: “We’re really heartened by today’s move, which will place a duty on the state to consider the sentience of decapod and cephalopods within all future policy making as well as vertebrate animals.

“BVA and others have long championed crustacean and molluscs as having the capacity to experience feelings such as pleasure and pain, and the growing scientific evidence base really served to strengthen this argument.

“These changes are a resounding win for animal welfare which will provide new gold standard protections to millions of crustaceans as well as other species.”

Lord Zac Goldsmith, Animal Welfare Minister, said of the changes to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill: “The Animal Welfare Sentience Bill provides a crucial assurance that animal wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws.

“The science is now clear that decapods and cephalopods can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation.”

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk