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Honoured actors support campaign for wild animal circus ban
Circus tiger
The enforcement of a wild animal circus ban will prevent further suffering of the UK's circus animals

Letter written to the Queen to urge for action to be taken

Two honoured British actors have collaborated in joining the Animal Defenders International’s (ADI) Stop Circus Suffering campaign.  

Sir Roger Moore KBE and Imelda Staunton OBE have both been honoured by the Queen for their achievements. They have now written Her Majesty a letter, urging her to ensure that prompt action is taken to pass a wild animal circus ban. 

The letter raised concerns that despite government promises, action to bring a wild animal circus ban into force has been slow. It requested that commitment to the ban is included in the Queens speech at the State Opening of Parliament on the 4th June.

A letter was delivered to David Cameron last month, prompting him to reaffirm his commitment to the ban of wild animal acts. The letter, which was headed by former Conservative MEP and conservationist Stanley Johnson and social justice campaigner Peter Tatchell, was signed by 75 celebrities and politicians including Dame Judi Dench, Timothy West CBE, Eddie Izzart and Julian Clary.
 
ADI Chief Executive, Jan Creamer, said: “I am delighted that Sir Roger Moore and Imelda Staunton OBE are urging the Queen to support the promised ban on wild animals in circuses, which has support from the public and politicians alike. The Government has promised a ban and we want to see it happen. Further delays will result in continued animal suffering.”
 
The ban is widely supported by vets, animal welfare experts, politicians and the vast majority of the public. A consultation by Defra on the issue revealed that 94.5 per cent of respondents were in support of the ban.
 
Following implementation of a ban, the UK’s wild circus animals can be relocated to sanctuaries with the help of ADI. The charity have recently relocated 25 lions after securing a circus ban in Bolivia and are currently liaising with authorities to assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of circus animals in Peru.
 
Image courtesey of Animal Defenders International.
 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.