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Butterfly Emergency declared after latest count
The gatekeeper butterfly was the most common, but still saw an 18 per cent decrease in numbers.
Big Butterfly Count 2024 revealed lowest numbers on record.

Butterfly Conservation has called on the UK government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’, after this year’s count recorded the lowest butterfly numbers in its history.

After this year’s Big Butterfly Count, more than 9,000 responses recorded that they had not seen a single butterfly – the highest number in the Count’s 14-year history.

The Big Butterfly Count 2024 took place from 12 July-4 August, with over 85,000 citizen scientists taking part. Participants were encouraged to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies in gardens, parks or the countryside.

Just over 935,000 butterflies and day-flying moths were recorded across the UK, down almost 600,000 from the total in 2023.

On average, participants spotted just seven butterflies per 15-minute count, a 50 per cent reduction on last year.

The most common butterfly was the gatekeeper butterfly, which was recorded 190,413 times but still saw an 18 per cent decrease. Eighty-one per cent of species saw a decline in comparison to 2023.

It was the worst summer in Big Butterfly Count history for a third of butterfly species, including the common blue, green-veined white, painted lady and Scotch argus.

These statistics have alarmed scientists, prompting the charity to declare a nationwide ‘Butterfly Emergency’.

The charity has now written an open letter to the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, Steve Reed, calling on the government to declare a ‘Nature Emergency’. It wants an outright ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, which can be fatal to butterflies.

When used on farmland, the pesticides can reach wild flowers growing at field edges. This can lead to butterflies, moths and caterpillars ingesting contaminated materials.

Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Butterflies are a key indicator species; when they are in trouble we know that the wider environment is in trouble too. Nature is sounding the alarm call.

“We must act now if we are to turn the tide on these rapid declines and protect species for future generations.”

To sign Butterfly Conservation’s open letter to the UK government, visit their website. Signing closes on 13 October 2024.

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.