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New data protection regulations for 2018
As with the Data Protection Act, the GDPR applies to personal data, but the GDPR also applies to online identifiers, such as an IP address.
UK Data Protection Act to be replaced

The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to come into force in the UK from 25 May 2018, replacing the UK Data Protection Act 1998.

While the new rules are months away, it is wise for businesses to prepare in advance, to ensure they are compliant by next year.

The GDPR applies to those with a day-to-day responsibility for data protection - defined as ‘controllers’ and ‘processors’. Controllers say how and why personal data is processed and processors act on the controller’s behalf.

Processors have specific legal obligations under the new regulation - they are required to maintain records of personal data and processing activities. There will be significantly more legal liability if the processor is responsible for a data breach.

However, controllers are not relieved of their obligations if a processor is involved. The new regulation places further responsibilities on these controllers to ensure contracts with processors are compliant with the GDPR.

As with the Data Protection Act, the GDPR applies to personal data, but the GDPR also applies to online identifiers, such as an IP address.

For most organisations - those who keep HR records, customer lists or contact details, for example - the changes to the definition should make little practical difference, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The GDPR applies to automated personal data and manual filing systems where personal data can be accessed according to specific criteria. This could also now apply to chronologically ordered sets of manual records that contain personal data.

For more information on the changes visit: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-reform/overview-of-the-gdpr/

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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.