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Wild animal ban in circuses
Draft Bill spells success for campaigners

 Welfare charities and veterinary associations alike have celebrated the announcement of a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.

A draft Bill, which was published on 16 April, will make it illegal for wild animals to be used in circus performances in England from 1 December 2015.

Welcoming the move, BVA president Peter Jones said: "I am heartened that we will soon see the end of the exploitation of these animals in the confines of a circus."

Along with organisations including the RSPCA, Born Free Foundation and the Captive Animals' Protection Society, the BVA have been campaigning for a ban for some time.

The basis of the groups' argument has been that the environmental needs of wild animals cannot be met within a travelling circus, nor can their need to express normal behaviour.

All four organisations said they will support the government in the formal enactment of the Bill, and the RSPCA and Born Free Foundation have reiterated their pledge to find safe homes for the wild animals currently being used in circuses in England.

The BVA will be consulting its members on these proposals once the Bill has been studied. This, Mr Jones says, will "ensure that we can help to develop appropriate and robust legislation."

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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.