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UK deputy chief veterinary officer appointed
“It is a privilege for me to serve in this role” – Dr Martin-Almagro.
Interim appointment has been made permanent.

Jorge Martin-Almagro has been appointed as the UK deputy chief veterinary officer (DCVO) for international affairs.

He is taking on the role permanently, after serving on an interim basis since July 2023.

During his time as interim DCVO, he has been involved in securing trade deals to export British poultry and pork to Vietnam, lamb to Taiwan and the USA, and pork to Mexico.

Before starting his current job, Dr Martin-Almagro held a variety of roles at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, including as head of international market access. He has also previously served as head of consumer protection at the Food Standards Agency.

As a DCVO, he will be working alongside Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, and Ele Brown, DCVO for national, domestic and exotic diseases.

Dr Martin-Almagro said: “It is a privilege for me to serve in this role, working with Christine, Ele, UK government officials and stakeholders from all over the world to protect animals and the public.

“I look forward to securing new market access opportunities for UK producers, whilst upholding our position as a global leader in animal health and welfare in line with the One Health approach.”

Prof Middlemiss added: “I am delighted to be working with Jorge. I am confident that he will help meet the challenges we face and provide excellent support to myself and Ele Brown, our other UK deputy CVO, on veterinary and technical issues.

“Jorge will be a great asset to UK veterinary services, leading the development of our priority international market access opportunities.”

Image © Defra

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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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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.