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Government backs bill to update livestock worrying legislation
The bill will increase the number of species covered by livestock worrying legislation.
Alpacas and llamas to be added to the list of species covered by law.

The government has backed a Private Members’ Bill to amend the legislation around livestock worrying, meaning the bill is now likely to become law.

The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Thérèse Coffey, will give the police greater powers and expand the range of animals and locations covered by livestock worrying rules.

Under the amended legislation, the police will have more powers to collect evidence samples from livestock and dogs, including being authorised to enter and search premises. They will also be able to seize and detain dogs after serious incidents.

Alpacas and llamas will be added to the list of animals covered by the legislation. The bill will also expand the places where the law can be enforced to include roads and paths.

The changes will update the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, which defines livestock worrying as a dog attacking or chasing livestock or being at large in a field or enclosure containing sheep, and will apply to England and Wales. Since the act was created, the amount of livestock in England and Wales has doubled.

Measures to tackle livestock worrying had previously been part of the government’s own Kept Animals Bill, which was dropped by ministers last year despite widespread support from animal welfare and veterinary organisations.

Farming minister Mark Spencer said: “Livestock worrying has a devastating impact, causing distress to farmers and their animals, as well as the financial implications.
 
“This bill will crack down on this issue, widening the scope to protect more farm animals covered by law and giving police more powers to act. We will do all we can to support its swift passage through Parliament.”

Image © Shutterstock

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.