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Ban on seal hunting products upheld
seal
The RSPCA said it is "delighted" that the ban on importing seal products has been upheld.
RSPCA welcomes WTO decision to reject appeal

Animal welfare organisations have welcomed a decision by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to uphold a ban on the import of products of the seal hunting industry.

An EU ban in 2010 prohibited the trade in items such as seal pelts, oil and meat, including those from Canada, Namibia and Norway.

In response to the decision, the Canadian and Norwegian governments challenged the ban. However, the four-year ban on seal fur will be upheld after the WTO rejected the appeal.

RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said: "This is an historic decision - it is the first time that a moral defence has been upheld in entirety and that in itself is game changing…

"We hope this landmark ruling will now give governments greater confidence to pursue and agree measures to improve animal welfare, including trade bans".

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.