Latest news with #BVA
Agriland
19-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Questions raised on ‘access' to vet medicines in NI following new EU/UK deal
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) today (Monday, May 19) raised fresh questions on the issue of continued 'access' to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland following confirmation of a new deal between the EU and the UK. The BVA said it welcomed commitments in the deal on animal welfare and UK biosecurity but voiced its concerns on what it described as the 'absence' of a solution to the Northern Ireland vet medicines issue. Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux, president of the BVA, said: 'Today's announcements coming out of the EU-UK Summit are good news, striking the right balance between reducing trade friction whilst maintaining the UK's high standards of animal welfare and disease control. 'However, with no clear direction on the issue of access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, which has serious implications not only for animal health and welfare, but also public health, there is still work to do. 'A permanent resolution to this long-standing question is urgently needed and we will continue to press the government for solutions to avoid potentially devastating consequences'. EU/UK deal The deal between the UK and the EU – also designed to cut red tape on food and drink imports and exports – is a 'welcome step', according to the processor-led Dairy UK organisation. Dr. Judith Bryans, chief executive of Dairy UK, said today it was particularly pleased to see a common understanding on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations, which she described as 'a critical and welcome step forward for dairy trade'. 'As our largest and oldest trading partner, unencumbered trade with the EU is incredibly valuable for the dairy and agri-food sector and the ease in administrative requirements will be very welcome for our members,' she added. The SPS agreement, which was announced following the first EU-UK Summit in London, will see the UK and the European Commission 'work towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area'. The post-Brexit deal has been described as a 'new chapter' for the UK/EU relationship and will kick start talks on a range of wider issues including security, defence and fishing access. According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) the EU remains the UK's most important market for agri-food exports. It believes that any agreement that lowers trade friction, smoothing trade between the UK and the EU 'would be good news for UK agricultural exporters.' 'Strengthening market access will benefit UK meat exporters, support food supply chain resilience, and reinforce the UK's position as a key trading partner with the EU,' Ouafa Doxon, AHDB head of market access, said today. European Council President António Costa, UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and European Commission President,Ursula von der Leyen Source: European Union Meanwhile the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), which is the supply industry's leading trade association, said it also welcomed confirmation that an SPS is to be established. In a statement it said that 'divergence and duplication of SPS approaches have caused frequent, frustrating and unpredictable barriers at borders in both directions' which it said had impacted the trade of vital agricultural goods. 'This has often led to increased complexity, delays, and costs for AIC businesses exporting and importing goods between Great Britain, the EU, and Northern Ireland,' it added. However the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) remained unconvinced by details of the new deal. Its president Victoria Vyvyan said: 'Although the EU is a key market for UK produce, and lower export costs would help make our goods more competitive for European consumers, signing up to allow the European Court of Justice to impose decisions affecting our goods is an unnecessary surrender of control. 'We need immediate reassurance that the UK will have a voice in the decision-making process in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. 'Cutting red tape on food exports and plant and animal health for trade sounds positive if unlikely, but tying us to an agreement that involves European Court of Justice oversight is deeply concerning and could hinder our ability to strike future trade deals with other countries.' Northern Ireland But this is in contrast to food and drink industry leaders in Northern Ireland who have welcomed details of the new EU/ UK deal. Professor Ursula Lavery, chair of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and technical and research and development director at Pilgrim's Europe, said: 'Since the referendum and in all subsequent negotiations, the priority for food and drink manufacturers in Northern Ireland has been for a durable negotiated solution that maintains frictionless trade and expands the opportunities for our businesses to thrive. 'The food and drink industry in Northern Ireland therefore broadly welcomes today's announcement as a step to potentially easing the administrative burden on businesses here, and helping offset some of the significant on-costs firms have experienced recently, including national insurance rises and extended producer responsibility.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Brighton Volunteer Ambulance to host open house
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)— Brighton Volunteer Ambulance will host an open house Sunday afternoon to kick off National EMS Week. The open house will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. with a special ceremony at 3 p.m. BVA is located on Winton Road South at the corner of Westfall Road in Rochester. In celebration of the 51st National EMS Week, community members will be able to meet members of the Brighton Volunteer Ambulance, see what the inside of an ambulance looks like, and see demonstrations of the equipment from paramedics and EMTs. Children can also enjoy face painting, crafts, a bounce house, and an obstacle course. Brighton Volunteer Ambulance President Dennis J. Mietz, Chief of EMS Operations William Hockenberry will be joined by Public Safety partners Brighton Police, Brighton Fire, Henrietta Fire, Monroe County Sheriff`s Office Mounted Patrol, K-9 Unit and Operation Safe Child IDs, New York State Police Traffic Safety`s Convincer Demo Unit, and the Monroe County/Rochester 911 Emergency Communications Department 911 Center. The Brighton town supervisor, William Moehle, will deliver a town proclamation for National EMS Week. Monroe County Public Safety Director, Richard V. Tantalo, and their Deputy Director, Tim Henry, will deliver a proclamation on behalf of Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Assemblymember Sarah Clark, and other county and town elected officials will also be in attendance. Lifespan and Willow Domestic Violence Center will also be sharing information about their services. Public parking is available at Brighton High School on 1150 Winton Rd S. A free shuttle will be provided to the open house. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vets renew warning over NI medicine supplies
Veterinarians have again warned of the risk to supplies of animal medicines to Northern Ireland if the EU and UK cannot reach a new deal post-Brexit deal on the issue. Supplies of human medicines moving from GB to NI were guaranteed through the Windsor Framework. However animal medicines were not part of that deal and supplies are currently covered by a 'grace period' which expires at the end of this year. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said that at that point 10% of products, including some critical medicines, could be withdrawn. Dr Kristen Dunbar, President of BVA in Northern Ireland, said the issue was not so much the percentage of products that could be withdrawn but the loss of critical medicines to which there is no alternative. A major issue is that medicines would have to be retested when they are sent from GB to NI. That would increase cost and complexity to a level which would lead to some suppliers withdrawing products from the NI market. Dr Dunbar said some manufacturers are already rerouting supplies through the Republic of Ireland, which would mean those products will continue to be available. Concern over lack of agreement on animal medicine The DUP MP Gavin Robinson suggested that there are currently two potential solutions under discussion by the EU and UK. He said that could include a special import license system for critical products. The UK and EU are currently engaged in wider negotiations about a reset in relations which could include an agrifood deal. Dr Dunbar said an agreement which includes veterinary medicines is "the ideal". However she added that is unlikely to be in place for the end of the grace period in eight months time meaning there will need to be "workaround solutions" in the interim.
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Windsor Framework: Vets renew warning over NI medicine supplies
Veterinarians have again warned of the risk to supplies of animal medicines to Northern Ireland if the EU and UK cannot reach a new deal post-Brexit deal on the of human medicines moving from GB to NI were guaranteed through the Windsor animal medicines were not part of that deal and supplies are currently covered by a 'grace period' which expires at the end of this British Veterinary Association (BVA) said that at that point 10% of products, including some critical medicines, could be withdrawn. Dr Kristen Dunbar, President of BVA in Northern Ireland, said the issue was not so much the percentage of products that could be withdrawn but the loss of critical medicines to which there is no alternative.A major issue is that medicines would have to be retested when they are sent from GB to would increase cost and complexity to a level which would lead to some suppliers withdrawing products from the NI Dunbar said some manufacturers are already rerouting supplies through the Republic of Ireland, which would mean those products will continue to be available. The DUP MP Gavin Robinson suggested that there are currently two potential solutions under discussion by the EU and said that could include a special import license system for critical UK and EU are currently engaged in wider negotiations about a reset in relations which could include an agrifood Dunbar said an agreement which includes veterinary medicines is "the ideal".However she added that is unlikely to be in place for the end of the grace period in eight months time meaning there will need to be "workaround solutions" in the interim.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Making a dog's dinner: vets and canine experts on the most eco and affordable ways to feed your pooch
Dog food products labelled 'complete' are legally defined as providing all the nutrients your pets need, in the right proportions. Whereas a product labelled 'complementary' should not be a dog's only source of nutrition, says Lauren Bennett, RSPCA scientific and policy officer, as these 'do not contain all of the required nutrients, may lead to poor nutrition and can cause dietary deficiencies and associated disease, such as metabolic bone disease'. This sounds straightforward – but the price of 'complete' foods varies considerably, and can't be compared simply by cost per kilo, as different brands recommend different portion sizes. Comparing the daily cost of feeding a 5kg adult toy poodle, a clearer picture emerges. Wet dog food is usually the most expensive 'complete' option. Buying six meaty 400g tins of Pedigree Chum worked out at £1.05 a day, while a Butternut Box subscription of 'gently cooked, never ultra-processed' pouches of meaty dog food 'taste-tested by humans' came to a whopping £2.02 a day. Comparing the daily cost of feeding the same poodle from 2kg bags of dry food, we found vegan options were a little cheaper, with Wilsons Vegan Premium Cold Pressed Dog Food at 82p a day, followed by Hownd Plant Powered Superfood at 69p. Wainwright's Insects With Superfoods came in at 67p a day, but the standard non-vegan kibble was the most affordable, with Wagg Meaty Goodness dry food at 21p, and Pets at Home Complete Nutrition dry food with chicken 22p. More expensive dog food may have additional ingredients, such as fatty acids which can help with skin and coat health. However, 'premium' brands may also seek to use less grains and cereals, unsustainably increasing the total meat content – with no evidence, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA), that this benefits animal health and welfare. Using fresh ingredients in wet food can also increase the carbon footprint, if it needs to be transported and kept frozen. 'There may be very good reasons why you choose a higher-cost food, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily healthier than another dog food,' says BVA senior vice president, Dr Anna Judson, a practising vet. 'Nobody should feel guilty about choosing cheaper 'complete' options. Buy what you can afford.' If you want individual advice for your dog, she recommends speaking to your vet or veterinary nurse. We associate ultra-processed foods with having a lower nutritional value, but this isn't the case for processed dog foods that are labelled 'complete'. Despite this, unprocessed, organic and raw dog foods are becoming increasingly popular. Caroline Griffith, canine nutrition consultant, thinks cooking 'fresh whole foods' in recipes tailored for dogs is the healthiest way to feed them – and, she says, it costs less money and reduces packaging waste compared to buying dog food from retailers. 'If you can be savvy and make homemade, lightly cooked dog food, that's going to be a very economical way to feed your dog.' Dogs have stronger stomach acid than humans, she says, so the meat you cook for dogs needs to be 'just browned off' to the point where it has lost its 'original raw colouring. Think rare or medium rare steak'. She also recommends feeding dogs with raw meaty bones from specialist pet food suppliers, as long as they are 'safely sold' and have been frozen for several weeks to mitigate the bacteria and parasitic risks of these products: 'Then you defrost it in the [dog's] bowl so you don't have to touch it,' she says. Again, these products will need to be transported while frozen, raising their carbon footprint. The BVA also has concerns about the potential disease risks that raw dog food poses to both dogs and humans. 'We would always say: talk to your vet first,' says Judson. Creating a homemade, nutritionally balanced diet for your dog can be 'really tricky' and 'time consuming'. She recommends getting advice from a certified veterinary nutritionist from the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine before you start. 'It needs to be done with a lot of research and very carefully to get it right – and for many pet owners, that will be more complex than time permits,' says Judson. 'Weighing portions accurately reduces waste,' says Judson. 'This makes any product more sustainable, and it also helps to keep your dog at a healthy weight,' she says. A 2018 study found up to 65% of UK dogs are overweight or obese. It is particularly important to consider your dog's weight if you feed your dog leftovers. Bennett points out that human foods are often high in fat and salt, and so may not be suitable for dogs. 'Additionally, the digestive tract of a dog differs from people, meaning that leftovers can cause digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, pancreatitis and in some cases, can be highly toxic and fatal,' she says. 'Foods to avoid include anything from the onion family, chocolate, macadamia nuts, avocado, xylitol, grapes and raisins.' Judson advises against giving a dog more than 10% of their overall calorific intake in leftovers and treats. Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact, and there is an ever-growing range of vegan dog food options. Dogs do not have to be carnivores and it is possible to feed them an eco-friendly, plant-based diet. But because these products haven't been around long, Judson offers a word of caution: 'The lack of robust long-term data about their safety means owners should definitely monitor their dog's health for long-term impact.' Research also suggests insect production at a large scale for animal feed is more environmentally friendly than conventional livestock production. Dog food made with insects as an alternative protein launched in the UK in 2019. There is promising evidence that dogs fed this diet suffer no adverse short-term health effects, but more long-term studies are needed and, Judson says: 'We've got to think about the welfare of insects that have been farmed.' Meanwhile, last summer, the UK became the first country in Europe to back cultivated meat for use in pet food and in February, a limited release of Chick Bites – a dog treat made from lab-grown meat – went on sale at Pets at Home in Brentford. Among meat-based dog foods, research suggests kibble is more sustainable than wet dog food. In 2022, researchers found wet pet food results in eight times more climate-heating emissions than dry pet food.
