DEFRA

New puppy sale laws crack down on backyard breeders

The sales of puppies younger than eight weeks has been made illegal in a bid to crack down on irresponsible breeders. Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, announced that ministers would toughen dog breeding licensing rules to protect thousand of puppies. Anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a…

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Abuse and violence towards retail workers increases by 40%, finds BRC

There has been a 40 percent increase in violence and other forms of abuse against retail workers in the past year, according to the results of the BRC’s annual Retail Crime Survey. The survey covered 37 percent of the retail industry by turnover and 35 percent by staff, accounting for 1.1…

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The Dog Treat Company gets tails wagging for Valentine’s Day

The Dog Treat Company has released a brand new dog treat for Valentine’s Day 2017. The fast-growing rural business aims to set tails wagging with Paw-Ever Yours. The low calorie, wheat-free treat is available in a collectable tin. It’s made with free-range chicken and eggs and a selection of beneficial herbs. Company founder,…

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New puppy sale laws crack down on backyard breeders

The sales of puppies younger than eight weeks has been made illegal in a bid to crack down on irresponsible breeders. Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom, announced that ministers would toughen dog breeding licensing rules to protect thousand of puppies. Anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a…

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Public invited to snap up a stake in Cotswold RAW

Pet food producer Cotswold RAW is launching an exciting new initiative. From 12am on 10 January 2017, the company aims to crowdfund £250,000. Members of the public can contribute sums from £10 upwards. A ten percent stake in the firm will be shared between investors. The rural business will use the funding boost to expand its…

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Vets respond to confirmation of avian influenza

Avian influenza of the H5N8 strain has been confirmed in turkeys at a farm near Louth in Lincolnshire on Friday. Most birds at the premises have died and any remaining birds there will be humanely culled. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has put in place a…

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‘Poultry owners must keep birds inside’ due to bird flu concerns

Poultry keepers must now keep chickens, hens, ducks and turkeys housed indoors where practicable, or keep them separate from wild birds, warns the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency. For farmed geese, gamebirds and other captive birds where housing is less practicable, keepers must take…

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Capone Campaign cracks down on back yard rabbit breeders

A new campaign hopes to tackle unlicensed rabbit breeders. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) has launched the Capone Campaign with support from Pets Corner. It addresses fears that breeders in classified, online advertisements are not subject to regulations, legislation or welfare checks. Using bespoke software, the charity has analysed thousands of ‘rabbit for sale’…

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Responses to Defra’s review of animal establishments licensing released

A summary of responses to Defra’s consultation on the review of animal establishments licensing in England has been published. This consultation ran for 12 weeks, from the 20 December 2015 until the 12 March 2016. The consultation covers proposals to introduce new secondary legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,…

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Popular pond plant banned from sale

A popular pond plant, water hyacinth, has been banned from long-term saying following the European Commission publishing its list of species of EU wide concern, as part of the Invasive Alien Species Regulation. The list effectively bans long-term sale of water hyacinth, a popular pond plant in the UK, along with…

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