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VDS reminder to vets involved in exports and imports
Vets are being reminded to familiarise themselves with the offical import/export guidance.
Members urged to familiarise themselves with official guidance.

The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) has written to its members reminding them to familiarise themselves with the official guidance and associated work requirements of the Group Export Facilitation Scheme (GEFS).

The GEFS is a Government scheme designed to support OVs in obtaining the information they need to certify EU Export Health Certificates for certain products following Britain's exit from the European Union.

As the Brexit transition period comes to an end (31 December), the VDS said that it is aware some of its members will be supporting the GEFS, either as Official Veterinarians (OVs) or as Vets certifying Support Attestations and/or supporting other import/export work for the first time in their veterinary careers.

The statement reads: 'We urge members to fully familiarise themselves with any relevant official guidance and the associated requirements of any work of this nature they are intending to perform.

'We would also like to remind members that for the purpose of their VDS Insurance, veterinary work involving export/ import certification of food, food products, pet food, animal feed, eggs, animal products, skins, hides and agricultural machinery is classed as being within Risk Group F (farm animals) of the VDS Policy. 

'Cover under the VDS Policy for work undertaken in Risk Group F is dependent upon the names of the veterinary surgeons who are to undertake work in Risk Group F being declared to the VDS before work in Risk Group F is commenced. Veterinary surgeons who have declared that they will be undertaking work in Risk Group F will be named as doing so on the Schedule of Insurance.

It continued: 'It is very important that you carefully consider and review the Indemnity Limits you require, to ensure that they are sufficient for your needs and those of the Practice. These limits will be the maximum liability of the VDS for a claim or related claims connected with that Risk Group, and this limit includes damages and/or legal and other costs.'

For further information about the VDS Practice Policy, visit thevds.co.uk/our-policy

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.