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BVA welcomes Wales’ plan to address antimicrobial resistance
“We welcome the plan’s emphasis on preventive measures and a commitment to championing responsible antibiotic stewardship".
Plan encourages the responsible use of antimicrobials

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed a Welsh Government plan to address antimicrobial resistance.

Launched by environment minister Lesley Griffiths, the five-year plan encourages the responsible use of antimicrobials through preventative measures, including animal health planning and measuring farm-animal antibiotic usage data.

An AMR Delivery Group has been established to oversee the plan. BVA Welsh branch president Ifan Lloyd and council member Amelia Stevens will represent the veterinary profession in this group.

Mr Lloyd said: "We are very pleased to see Wales adopting a proactive and collaborative One Health approach to tackle the very real and serious global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

“We welcome the plan’s emphasis on preventive measures and a commitment to championing responsible antibiotic stewardship, keeping the veterinary profession at the heart of this approach.

“Vets in government and private practice have already made huge strides in stewarding responsible antimicrobial use in Wales, and as a member of the AMR Delivery Group, I look forward to continue working with colleagues across government and industry to achieve the goals laid down in this five-year vision.” 

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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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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.