Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th July 2018
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

'Lion's Share' initiative comes under criticism
The fund asks advertisers to contribute a percentage of their media spend for every advert that features an animal.
Campaigners say well-meaning project could increase animal suffering

Animal Defenders International (ADI) is calling on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to reconsider its “well-meaning but ill-conceived” ‘The Lion’s Share’ fund.

Launched in June, the fund asks advertisers to contribute a percentage of their media spend for every advert that features an animal. The funds will be used to support animals and their habitats around the world.

But in a statement on its website, ADI said that the fund could give rise to the use and suffering of wild animals in advertising and that it could hinder conservation efforts:

'With extensive expertise studying the use of animals in the entertainment industry, ADI has shown that the real training, including discipline or abuse of captive animals used for entertainment, tends to occur offset and away from public view,' it said. 'This makes it almost impossible for advertisers to ensure that a performing animal has not suffered during a lifetime of training.

‘With The Lion’s Share encouraging companies to use animals to help threatened species, this is likely to lead to an increase in the suffering of their captive counterparts. Founding member of the initiative Mars has already stated that “We’re not going to be limiting our number of animals; we’re actually going to be increasing".'

ADI is now urging the UNDP, production company FINCH and Mars to turn The Lion’s Share on its head and seek commitments from advertisers who pledge not to use animals.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
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.