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London Zoo welcomes Chinese giant salamanders
Professor 'Lew' is already a big hit with zookeepers.

Four Chinese giant salamanders have been taken in by ZSL London Zoo after Border Force prevented an attempt to smuggle them into the country. The animals are critically endangered, often referred to as living fossils, and have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

One of the animals already on display is called Professor ‘Lew’, named after the Chinese for ‘dragon keepers’. Zookeepers will eventually introduce one of the other salamanders in an attempt to boost their numbers.

ZSL’s curator of amphibians, Ben Tapley, said: “Chinese giant salamanders may not be everyone’s idea of beautiful – I’ve heard them described as giant brown blobs with eyes – but Professor Lew’s crinkly purple tail and slimy smile have already made the newcomer a big hit with all our keepers, who have been finding any excuse to visit the Reptile House.”

Image (C) ZSL London.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.