Ministers insist measures included in the widely supported legislation will be delivered individually – but the move has provoked anger from opposition politicians and welfare groups.
A total of 1,400 people have taken part in the project to date, but professionals and students are still being urged to get involved, regardless of their individual circumstances.
The North of Ireland Veterinary Association has called for ideas on how to tackle the questions of recruitment, retention and return at an event in Portadown later this month.
Document calls for an immediate rethink of policy relating to the disease in England, which its authors say is cruel, wasteful and “fundamentally wrong” – but Defra dismisses its claims.
A dedicated stream, focusing on key current and future issues for veterinary sector leaders, is being offered to delegates attending the event in June.
Veterinary professionals are being asked to encourage animal owners and keepers to put themselves forward for the new body, which is being set up in an initial 12-month pilot scheme.
Louise Buckley fears thousands of dogs could give false positive results and feels more needs to be done to offer imported dog owners contextualised care.
The lack of formal legal protection for the title of veterinary nurse has been branded a “travesty”, and likened to fraud as a new report of professional and public surveys on the issue was released.
Dogs Trust leaders have warmly welcomed plans for new legislation, which they say could also help to prevent many pets from being handed over to groups like theirs.
The company has been given five working days to submit proposals to address competition concerns in the latest inquiry affecting one of the UK’s biggest veterinary care providers.
Five new cases have been reported among birds since housing restrictions were lifted last month, though Defra says the risk to poultry is low as long as strong biosecurity systems are in place.
Analysis published by the 2023 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report suggests 48% of veterinary professionals had seen an increase in the number of dogs being euthanised on behavioural grounds.
IVC Evidensia has insisted it needs to change the way its finance operations are carried out, potentially putting hundreds of jobs at risk, despite claims it ignored long-term problems in a push for expansion.
A team of scientists and vets has called for rapid change to bTB policy for England, warning the present focus on badgers is undermining efforts to combat the disease.
New panel is reviewing association’s stance on alternative pet diet programmes, while American study suggesting vegan diet can have health benefits receives criticism.
A leading welfare charity has welcomed the guidance, which has been developed after the maximum sentence was increased to five years in prison in 2021.
Report – compiled by PDSA – offers one of the first significant indications of how current economic pressures are seen to be affecting veterinary businesses.
Veterinary professionals and students are being encouraged to take part in the project, regardless of whether they have a disability or chronic illness.
PDSA officials say the findings of their PAW Report show the need for tighter rules and warn it would be ‘unconscionable’ for the Kept Animals Bill not to become law.
