Exotic pets - a question of legislation or self-regulation, ask leading vets
Following Defra’s recent consultation on animal licensing establishments, which specifically questioned what measures could address concerns around the care of exotic animals, leading vets will be discussing the issue of legislation versus self-regulation around exotic pet ownership at the annual Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) Discussion Forum at One Great George Street, London, on 6 June.
The three-strong panel will examine whether it is reasonable to call for tougher legislation around the exotic pet trade or if greater education for keepers is sufficient, as well as debating what can be done now to improve the welfare of the large variety of exotic animals kept as pets in the UK.
The session, ‘Non Traditional Companion Animals (Exotics) – legislation or self-regulation?’ will be chaired by British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Sean Wensley and speakers for this session include:
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Sheila Voas, Chief Veterinary Officer, Scotland - Setting the scene·
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Libby Anderson, OneKind - Poor welfare leads to harm·
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Michael Stanford, British Veterinary Zoological Society - Lists and education to prevent harm
Tiffany Hemming, Chair of Trustees for AWF, said:
“AWF is very proud of the positive and practical impact it has made on the health and welfare of large and small animals and we invite all those interested in improving animal welfare to be part of the debate this year. I believe that education and debate is the starting point for change, and this year we have a particularly impressive group of speakers hailing from veterinary practice, animal welfare organisations, universities, government and industry.”
BVA President Sean Wensley said:
“This is an exceptional conference that examines some of the most critically important issues for animal welfare. BVA’s members have identified promoting animal welfare as the profession’s top priority so I would encourage all vets to attend, hear from the experts and be part of these vital discussions.”
The AWF Discussion Forum is attended by leading vets, vet nurses, animal welfare organisations and other key influencers and, this year, will also be holding sessions on the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Acts (England and Wales, Scotland) 10 years on, and debating the controversial topic of livestock welfare in intensive farming for meat production. During the afternoon, Freda Scott Park will offer an update about the pioneering Links Project.
On the evening of 6 June, AWF and BVA are jointly hosting a reception at the House of Commons offering delegates the opportunity to continue discussing the Forum’s issues with parliamentarians. This year the reception will also be attended by Presidents and Chief Executives of the member associations that make up the International Veterinary Officers Coalition, which is being hosted by BVA in London from 7 – 9 June.
Tickets for the AWF Discussion Forum are still available here.
