The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended the bird flu prevention zone declared in Dorset last week to cover the whole of England, requiring all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures.

The decision comes after…

Legislation to make CCTV cameras mandatory in slaughterhouses in England has been laid before Parliament by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

The legislation will come into effect from May 2018, at which point businesses will have six months to comply…

Christine Middlemiss has taken up her post as UK Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), taking over from Nigel Gibbens who has stepped down after 10 years in the role.

Before joining Defra, Christine served as the CVO for New South Wales, Australia, a position…

The Government has announced plans to ban the use of electric shock training collars in England.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, and the use of these punitive devices can cause harm and suffering, whether intentionally…

Defra has announced that the law which requires horses born since July 2009 to be microchipped is being extended to include all horses, ponies and donkeys, regardless of their age.

From October 2020 it will be mandatory for all owners to microchip their…

A group of 16 independent veterinary surgeons and biologists, including some of the world's leading experts on snake science and welfare, has written to Defra to demand it reinstates a rule requiring that snakes kept captive for sale are given at least…

The government has launched a public consultation on proposals to ban keeping primates as pets in England, which veterinary nurses are invited to take part in before it closes on the 6th February 2021.

The government estimates that up to 5,000 primates…

The UK Government has opened an eight-week consultation on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, describing it as the biggest overhaul of veterinary regulation in 60 years — with the most notable shift being towards regulating veterinary practices…