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Avian influenza confirmed in Devon
There have been several cases of HPAI H5N8 in poultry and non-poultry across ENgland in recent weeks. 

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone has been declared around the premises.

A protection zone has been placed around a premises in Exmouth, Devon, after the confirmation of avian influenza in backyard poultry.

The discovery has been confirmed by government officials as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8.

An update from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on Wednesday (30 December) reads: 'Highly pathogenic (H5N8) avian influenza has been confirmed in backyard poultry at a premises near Exmouth, East Devon, Devon. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been declared.'

This is the eleventh case HPAI H5N8 in poultry in England. There have also been three recent cases of H5N8 in other captive birds and one case at a premises in Orkney, Scotland. Multiple species of wild birds have also tested positive for the disease in recent weeks.

All bird keepers in England are required by law to take a range of biosecurity precautions, including housing their birds, except in very specific circumstances. These housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity regulations that were introduced as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11 November.

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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.