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EFRA Committee seeks assurance on ASC
The Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill is to have its Second Reading in the House of Commons today (18 January).
The new Animal Sentience Committee is part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. 

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has sought assurance on the Government's new animal welfare committee, part of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.

The EFRA Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustace MP, ahead of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill's Second Reading in the House of Commons today (18 January), seeking reassurance on the new Animal Sentience Committee's (ASC) power to do its job. 

Created by the Bill, the ASC will publish reports about whether animal sentience is probably considered when government policy is developed, which Ministers will have to respond to. 

Although the creation of the ASC is welcomed by the EFRA Committee, it has made further comments on the Bill, saying in its letter that the it is necessary for the ASC to have people with specific expertise and scientific knowledge.

Also stated in the letter was that the amount of time allocated for the Committee's work, 15 – 20 days per year, may not be enough to attract high-calibre candidates to the role. The MPs on the EFRA Committee have asked the Secretary of State to review the time commitment of the ASC members after its first year of operations. 

The EFRA Committee also asked Ministers to confirm that the ASC would be able to publish its reviews without requiring the approval of any government department, alongside highlighting that the ASC must have sufficient powers to gather the information it needs to do its work, or risk becoming 'toothless'. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.