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Veterinary Schools Council launched
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The Veterinary Schools Council will provide informed opinion on matters concerning veterinary education.

New body represents the interests of seven UK veterinary schools

The Veterinary Schools Council, a new body which represents the interests of seven UK veterinary schools offering degrees accredited by the RCVS, has been launched.

The Council, which comprises the heads of seven of the UK's veterinary schools - including the RVC and The Royal (Dick) School -  will provide informed opinion on matters concerning veterinary education, from the welfare of its students and academic researchers, to its links with government and industry.

The Veterinary Schools Council aims to promote international recognition of the UK veterinary schools for their excellence in education, research and clinical service.   It will focus on three key areas: promoting innovative veterinary education and collaboration, facilitating underpinning science and political engagement and monitoring data and best practice.

A launch event was held yesterday at the House of Lords and was attended by the central organisations and institutions in veterinary education. Speakers included Professor Gary England, chair of the Veterinary Schools Council; Professor Sir Peter Rubin, representing the Medical Schools Council; and John Williams, head of science strategy, performance & impact at the Wellcome Trust.

A new website for the Veterinary Schools Council is now live and contains information about the Council, where it comes from and its aims for the future.  For more information, visit: www.vetschoolscouncil.ac.uk. 

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.