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Crustaceans considered for Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill
Invertebrates are not currently protected under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.
The Government are considering banning the practice of boiling lobsters alive under the Bill.

The UK Government is considering a ban on boiling lobsters alive as a part of its Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill.

The Bill does not currently cover invertebrates, however, if the Government goes through with the ban, it is likely that a clause will be added to the Bill, which is now going through the House of Lords.

This consideration follows requests from various animal welfare charities, asking for lobsters to be killed in a more humane manner than boiling them alive, including chilling them in the cold air or with ice, or stunning them with an electric shock. 

The ban has been urged on by several animal welfare groups interested in sentience recognition for crustaceans, including the organisation Crustacean Compassion, who called on Michael Gove to protect decapod crustaceans in animal welfare law. This call was signed by several people, including celebrities such as comedian Bill Bailey, alongside scientists, veterinary surgeons, academics, and others. 

The Conservative Animal Welfare foundation has also urged ministers to include crustaceans in the Sentience Bill.

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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.