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Howard Brown takes over as VPMA president
Howard Brown and Helen Sanderson
Howard Brown as he took over from former president Helen Sanderson.
Continuing to understand and provide for members will be the presidential aim

Howard Brown was inaugurated as the new VPMA president at the VPMA /SPVS Congress on Saturday morning (January 24).

In his inaugural speech he said that although not a practice manager or vet, he had been involved with the VPMA for over 15 years and that during his presidency he aimed to keep the organisation on track; continuing to understand and provide for member needs.

He said that he had a particular interest in supporting the regions where so much good networking and support was provided. Importantly he emphasised that he brings  the experience of scale to the VPMA from his experience of working in larger organisations.

 

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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.