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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th September 2022
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Professionals invited to parrot nutrition symposium
The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour.
Keynote talks will be delivered by Chester Zoo's Lauren Samnet and Mark Vercoe.

Avian veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses are being invited to attend a symposium about parrots and their nutrition, health and management when kept in captivity.

Hosted by the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA), the event promises a series of talks on different aspects of parrots' nutrition, feeding, health and welfare, and an opportunity for group discussions. 

It follows the success of the PFMA's Rabbit Symposium in 2018, which brought together more than 60 pet food manufacturers, retailers, welfare organisations, vets and academics to discuss the latest science on rabbit welfare topics.

Similarly the parrot event will include a lineup of renowned avian experts including Alan Jones MRCVS, Tariq About-Zahr (DipECZM(Avian) MRCVS and Vicki Baldrey MRCVS. 

The speakers will present different aspects of parrots' and indoor birds' health and welfare concerning nutrition and feeding behaviour. Keynote talks will be delivered by Lauren Samet (Animal Nutritionist) and Mark Vercoe (Deputy Curator of Birds) from Chester Zoo. 

Sarah Hormozi, head of science & education at PFMA said: “We are hoping to make it a worthwhile event, where parrot experts, welfare groups and parrot food industry can share their knowledge and experience. Through discussions, we will come up with collective decisions and steps forward to improve the health and welfare of parrots that are kept in captivity, especially from a diet and nutrition perspective.”

The symposium takes place at Chester Zoo on 21 September, 9.30 am to 3 pm, with registration including the symposium attendance, refreshments, lunch and admission to Chester Zoo. 

For more information and the full programme details, visit pfma.org.uk

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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.