Last week the we hosted the third VPRF AGM at the House of Lords and presented our Annual Report including a summary of our activities over the last year.

Highlights from 2015

Lord Trees took part in a range of debates with topics including dog breeding, the dairy industry, welfare of animals at slaughter, hunting and Lyme disease.

Lord Trees became a member of the House of Lords EU select committee in 2015 and continued his work as a member of the EU Sub-Committee for Energy and Environment (formerly Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy).

In May 2015 Lord Trees submitted a private members bill calling for the protection of the title “Veterinary Nurse”.

Our new parliamentary veterinary intern Anthony Ridge joined the VPRF in October 2015.

The VPRF fact file on non-stun slaughter was been updated in November 2015 with new figures on the numbers of animals involved and an update on the relevant legislation. 

Thank you to our sponsors

The VPRF relies on sponsorship in order to continue the work that we do. At present our sponsors include RCVS, NOAH, BVA, BSAVA, CVS, Medivet, Goddard Veterinary Group, Willows Veterinary Group, Royal Veterinary College, Nottingham Veterinary School, Liverpool Veterinary School and Lord Trees. We were very pleased to meet with representatives from so many of our sponsors last week and grateful for the positive feedback and many supportive comments we received.

If you are interested in sponsoring the work of the VPRF or would like to find out more about what we do please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is in store for 2016?

2016 is likely to be a landmark year for global decision making on combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. We are currently creating a fact file on UK antimicrobial resistance and will seek to support rational and proportionate steps that balance the need to maintain the health and welfare of both humans and animals.

We will continue to speak up on issues related to animal welfare and plan to table a question on the use of CCTV in slaughterhouses.

Microchipping of dogs becomes mandatory on 6th April 2016 and we will monitor and respond to any concerns raised by the veterinary profession.

DEFRA have launched a consultation on animal licensing with a view to update and consolidate rules on the licensing of animal related activities including the sale of pets. This presents a great opportunity to address concerns over the unregulated trade of animals via the internet, puppy farming and the welfare of exotic pets. We will follow this closely and seek to contribute to relevant meetings or debates.

Next week Lord Trees has initiated a debate on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and in February we will be hosting the launch of the Global Network for Rabies Control’s End Rabies Now campaign.