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France bans imports of lion hunting trophies
lion
French minister of ecology, Ségolène Royal, wrote: 'I have instructed my services to no longer issue import permits for lion hunting trophies.'
Country follows in Australia's footsteps

France has joined Australia in banning the import of lion hunting trophies, making it the first EU member state to bring in such a measure.

In a letter to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, the French minister of ecology, Ségolène Royal, wrote: 'I have instructed my services to no longer issue import permits for lion hunting trophies.'

Brigitte Bardot, a former actress, singer and model, had previously criticised Royal's 'guilty silence' over the import of hunting trophies, particularly in light of the recent death of Cecil the lion.

Announcing the news of France's import ban, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation thanked the minister.

The charity LionAid also welcomed the news, saying in a statement: "We applaud Minister Royal for this timely decision, and hope that this will precipitate like-minded decisions from many other EU Member States."

LionAid has in fact secured a debate in UK parliament on 24 November, when it will urge the UK to reject any further involvement with trophy hunting or 'canned hunting' (where animals are kept in a confined area) of wild lions for sport.

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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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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.