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RCVS launches veterinary policy EMS programme
"We are pleased to offer these fully-funded EMS placements and anticipate that they will provide students with valuable insight into the inner workings of the RCVS" - Ceri Chick, EMS project lead.
Scheme designed to give students hands-on experience supporting teams.

A new EMS placement programme to support students interested in veterinary policy and regulation has been launched by the RCVS.

The programme is split into two streams: a ‘Project Stream’, in which students learn about the aims and activities of various workstreams and how they fit into the veterinary professions, and a ‘policy stream’ in which students can gain insight into the UK’s democratic and legislative process and learn about policy issues in the veterinary profession.

Each placement runs for a week, during which students will attend meetings, shadow team members and conduct various activities that are intrinsic to the organisations’ functions and objectives. Travel and accommodation expenses during the placements will be provided by the RCVS and are available upon application for eligible students.

“We are pleased to offer these fully-funded EMS placements and anticipate that they will provide students with valuable insight into the inner workings of the RCVS and the VPRF,” commented Ceri Chick, senior leadership officer and EMS project lead. “Students will get hands-on experience supporting teams with ongoing projects, learn about the regulation of veterinary education, and help with business-as-usual activities. 

“Our aim is for these placements to be enjoyable and informative opportunities and help to demonstrate the approachability of the RCVS,” she added. “We look forward to welcoming students later this year.”

The policy stream is a joint placement between the RCVS and the not-for-profit Veterinary Policy Research Foundation (VPRF) – a research organisation supporting the formulation of evidence-based veterinary policy and legislation in the House of Lords. 

For more information about the programme and to apply, visit rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/students/student-ems-placements/ 

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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.