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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd September 2022
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

Pig producers welcome pork import controls
"Producers do their very best to maintain high levels of biosecurity for their individual herds, and the new controls now recognise the importance of national biosecurity to complement this" - NPA.
National Pig Association responds to government announcement on ASF. 

New government measures to limit the movement of pork and pork products into the UK to protect pigs against African Swine Fever (ASF) have been welcomed by the National Pig Association (NPA).

The controls, which came into force on Thursday (1 September), make it illegal to bring pork or pork products weighing more than two kilograms into Great Britain, unless they are produced to the European Union's (EU) commercial standards. The rules do not apply to commercial imports, which remain unaffected by the control. 

It follows a risk assessment by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which increased the risk of ASF entering the UK to medium. The report found that the most likely way the virus could enter Britain is via a member of the public bringing pork or pork products back from an ASF-affected country. 

Senior policy adviser Rebecca Veale said: "We are very pleased that Government has understood the risk African swine fever poses to our national pig herd and in listening to our call for action is now significantly strengthening the protection of our borders.

"Notifiable diseases such as ASF not only compromise the health and welfare of the pigs and potentially devastate businesses up and down the country, but an outbreak would also have huge implications for our ability to trade. The risk of ASF has never been so great and the recent outbreaks linked to human movement in Italy and Germany have served as a stark reminder of just how vulnerable we are.

She added: "Producers do their very best to maintain high levels of biosecurity for their individual herds, and the new controls now recognise the importance of national biosecurity to complement this. As NPA we thank Government for recognising and addressing the risk of ASF and we will continue to work with them on this integral policy area."

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

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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.