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Pet passport errors 'on the rise'
dogs travelling
It was hoped that the new passport would help to resolve some of the issues, but Mr Ellis says it has actually increased them.

Stuart Ellis, VDS, reveals top 10 claims against vets

The Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) has seen a rise in the number of vets facing problems with completing pet passports correctly, since the new passport was introduced in 2014.

Claims consultant Stuart Ellis spoke to delegates at this year's BSAVA Congress about the top 10 most common reasons for claims against vets, and offered tips on avoiding problems.

The most common passports errors seen by VDS include completing tasks in the wrong order (e.g. doing the rabies vaccination before inserting the microchip), inputting the wrong dates and missing off digits on the microchip number.

It was previously hoped that the new rules would help to resolve some of these issues, but Mr Ellis says it has actually increased them.

To read on, log in to VetCommunity: http://vetcommunity.com/vs/pet-passport-errors-on-the-rise-says-vds-claims-consultant/

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.  

Click here for more...
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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.