Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Call for 'Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans'
Ethicists, psychologists attest to 'individuality'

The annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest scientific conference, has been told by experts in animal behaviour, philosophy, ethics, psychology and conservation that dolphins and whales merit treatment under the same ethical considerations as humans. To recognise their rights in such a manner would therefore force an end to whaling and all forms of captivity including use in entertainment.

Professor Tom White from Loyola Marymount University, a noted ethicist who wrote 'In Defence of Dolphins: The New Moral Frontier', told those present that "A person needs to be an individual. If individuals count, then the deliberate killing of individuals of this sort is ethically the equivalent of deliberately killing a human being. We're saying the science has shown that individuality - consciousness, self-awareness - is no longer a unique human property. That poses all kinds of challenges."

The proposed 'Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans' was first agreed in 2010. It contains articles stating that "no cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude, be subject to cruel treatment, or be removed from their natural environment", "no cetacean is the property of any state, corporation, human group or individual", and that "The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this declaration should be protected under international and domestic law."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.