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BVA responds to new animal transport measures
"It’s vital that the Government engages meaningfully with the veterinary profession and industry colleagues as they develop these proposals" - BVA president, James Russell.
Rules include shorter journey times and increased headroom.

BVA president James Russell has responded to new measures announced by the Government on Wednesday (18 August) to improve the welfare of farm animals during transport.

In a press release, Mr Russell welcomed the commitment to improving conditions but urged Defra to engage meaningfully with the profession to ensure the measures are evidence-based, practical and deliver genuine benefits to animal welfare. 

The new rules, whic apply to animals being transported within England and Wales, include: 

  • shorter maximum journey times for live
    animals – between four and 24 hours depending on the species of animal
  • more headroom for animals during transport
  • stricter rules on the transport of animals during extreme hot or cold temperatures.
     
The conditions follow a 12-week-consultation seeking industry and public views on proposals to improve animal welfare in transport, to which BVA responded earlier this year.

Previously, BVA called on the Government to put animal welfare at the heart of any changes regarding moving livestock inside and outside the UK. It also recommended that any proposals to improve welfare include welfare issues before, during and after a journey, rather than just the journey time.  

Mr Russell said: “We’re pleased to see the Government standing by its pledge to improve conditions during transport for farm animals, as well as a commitment to work with industry to develop proposals further. It’s also positive that they have recognised the need to take a holistic approach.

“It’s vital that the Government engages meaningfully with the veterinary profession and industry colleagues as they develop these proposals to ensure that measures are evidence-based and workable and deliver genuine and decisive welfare benefits for millions of farm animals. We look forward to working closely with our species divisions and Defra as the specifics take shape.”

In addition to more headroom and shorter journey times, the consultation also highlighted several other measures that could help improve animal welfare during transport, including better training for animal transporters and new guidance on an animal’s fitness to travel. 

Announcing the new measures, environment secretary George Eustice said: “We are legislating to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, and are now developing other measures to improve the welfare of animals during transport.

“We have listened to the concerns raised relating to our proposed changes to transport regulations and have made changes to address these. We will continue to work with industry on the remaining details.”

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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.