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VN Council nomination period extended
Veterinary nurses now have until 28 February 2021 to submit their nominations.
RCVS has so far received just one nomination for election.

The RCVS has extended the nomination period for its VN Council election to Sunday 28 February 2021.

In a press release, the RCVS said that it had received just one nomination for the VN Council election - Susan Howarth RVN – who will be automatically be re-elected to Council for a four-year term. 

The RCVS added that if two or more additional candidates come forward in the extended nomination period, then a VN Council election will be run for the one remaining available elected place on the Council.

VN Council chair Matthew Rendle said: “Whilst it’s certainly disappointing that we only had one nomination for VN Council by this year’s deadline, we hope this extension until the end of February means more vet nurses will now consider putting themselves forward for election.

"We are doing some really important work currently that in time will push forward and enhance our profession, so I would ask any vet nurses who are interested in having a say on the future of our profession to step forward as a candidate for the Council. Those who want to find out more about what it means to be on VN Council are also very welcome to contact me on vncchair@rcvs.org.uk”

More information about how to stand for VN Council, as well as an informal job description about what is expected of a VN Council member, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil21 

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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.  

Click here for more...
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.