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Bats drop from the sky in heatwave
Image bat
Australian health officials urge caution

Thousands of bats are reportedly dropping from the sky in Queensland, Australia, thought to be a result of recent extreme temperatures.

Heat stress due to severe weather has been blamed for the recent spate of bat deaths. As a result, wildlife groups say there has been a rise in the number of bats and flying foxes in suburban areas, searching for food and water.

Officials from Queensland Health say there has been an increase of 250 per cent in the number of people reporting exposure to bat bites and scratches since the beginning of 2013.

Chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young says the majority of these exposures occur when people attempt to handle injured, trapped or sick bats.

Recent reports of bat deaths have prompted Dr Young to issue a warning to members of the public not to touch the animals, but to contact the RSPCA or local wildlife care group.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.