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Countries commit to ocean pollution campaign
Nearly 40 countries have joined the UN Environment's CleanSeas campaign.

Chile, Oman, Sri Lanka and South Africa join UN Environment initiative

Some 40 countries have committed to a United Nations-led campaign against marine litter and ocean pollution.

On Monday (4 December), it was announced that Chile, Oman, Sri Lanka and South Africa will be joining the UN Environment's CleanSeas initiative, which includes measures such as plastic bag bans, new marine reserves and drives to increase recycling.

The four countries announced their support during the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya (4 - 6 December).

“For too long, we have treated the ocean as a bottomless dumping ground for plastic, sewage and other waste,” said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment. “The countries supporting CleanSeas are showing the leadership we need in order to end this abuse, and protect the marine resources on which millions depend for their livelihoods.”

Minister of environment for Sri Lanka, Anura Dissanayake, added, "Sri Lanka is taking bold action to turn the tide on plastics. We have banned plastic bags and are now working to reduce the number of plastic bottles in the country. We want to be a green and blue beacon of hope in Asia and do everything we can to keep the seas clean.”

Nearly 40 countries from Kenya to Canada and Indonesia to Brazil have joined the UN’s CleanSeas campaign, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the world’s coastline. The commitments made by the newest CleanSeas members are:

    •    Sri Lanka will implement a ban on single-use plastic products from 1 January 2018, step up the separation and recycling of waste, and set the goal of making its ocean and coasts “pollution-free” by 2030.
    •    Chile is legislating to extend producer responsibility and encourage recycling and establishing more marine protected areas.
    •    Chilean cities are banning plastic bags in advance of a planned national ban.
    •    South Africa will step up its beach cleanup program and prioritise action on tyres, electronic waste, lighting and paper and packaging. This includes extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.