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Petition calls for microchip rules to be reconsidered
The group has contacted a number of specialist reptile vets and says over two dozen advised that they do not agree with microchipping tortoises from 60mm.
Concerns over requirement to chip 60mm tortoises

A petition has been launched calling for Cites to reverse its decision to change microchipping rules for tortoises, amid concerns that the practice could cause ‘undue pain and suffering’.

All tortoises of 60mm SCL (straight carapace length) or above must now be microchipped before they can be issued with an Article 10 Certificate. Previously, tortoises of less than 100mm SCL did not require a microchip.

The Tortoise Protection Group, which started the petition, said in a statement: ‘Whilst we applaud and support any legislation to reduce the trafficking of illegal tortoises, we do not believe in any legislation that causes undue pain and suffering to an animal, or putting any animal’s health at risk.’

The group has contacted a number of specialist reptile vets and says over two dozen advised that they do not agree with microchipping tortoises from 60mm SCL. Some have even refused to microchip tortoises as small as this.

Burnham House Veterinary Surgery in Dover supplied the group with x-ray images that demonstrate their concerns. In one x-ray, a tortoise of 60mm is shown lying over an applicator gun which would be inserted into the animal’s leg. However, the gun appears to be as wide as the bone in the tortoise’s rear leg. Another image shows the tortoise lying over a mini microchip, showing its relative size compared with the rear leg.

The Tortoise Protection Group says it will be writing to UK Cites with its x-ray evidence, as well as evidence from reptile vets, in the hope that they will reinstate the 100mm rule. A petition is also running on Care2 Petitions: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/925/155/763/?taf_id=40216450&cid=fb_na

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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CVS Group hit by cyber attack

CVS Group, which owns more than 450 veterinary practices in the UK, has been hit by a cyber attack.

In a statement, the group said the incident involved unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. As soon as the attack was discovered, the group took its IT systems temporarily offline, causing 'considerable operational disruption'.

It has warned that the security steps taken and ongoing plans to move its operational systems and IT infrastructure to the Cloud are likely to have an ongoing impact over a number of weeks.

Due to the risk that personal information was accessed, CVS has informed the Information Commissioner's Office. The company is working with third party consultants to investigate the incident.