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National Equine Forum 2025 to explore ‘threat and opportunity’
The event can be attended in-person or through a livestream.
Vets, industry leaders and charity workers will consider the future of equestrianism.

The 33rd National Equine Forum (NEF25) is set to explore the threats and opportunities which face the equine sector.

The annual forum will be held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in London on Thursday, 6 March 2025. Live streaming tickets will also be made available to those who cannot attend the event in person.

The programme will provide opportunities for veterinary professionals, industry leaders and charities to discuss important topics in the equine sector. Each of the main sessions will also be followed by a Q&A session for delegates.

‘The Equine Industry in a Changing World’ seeks to present a Parliamentary perspective on the status on the sector, accompanied by an update from the British Horse Council. This will also include a review of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A session on ‘Equine Health Updates’ will provide the latest news on serious disease threats to horses in the UK.

‘Equine feeds’ will advise on elements of feed safety and legality. This includes the fundamental role of forage, as well as guidance on where to find reliable and appropriate feed advice.

‘Equine Assisted Services’ explores the important partnership role that horses play in society, both when ridden and when on the ground. It will consider their inclusion in the Paralympic Games, as well as how they facilitate learning and positively impact people’s lives.

NEF25 will include a Memorial Lecture, which this year will discuss how charities work together to protect equine welfare in Britain with views from the ‘front-line’. The winner of this year’s Sir Colin Spedding Award will also be announced.

The event hopes to provide an opportunity for delegates to hear from influential members of the sector, learn about the latest developments and network with those in the industry.

Tim Brigstocke, NEF chairman, said: “In this year’s programme we have picked some of the most pertinent areas presenting opportunities or threats to the sector,

“We will be addressing these in our inimitable, balanced style, for which NEF has become renowned. We look forward to welcoming you either in person or via the livestream.”

Early bird tickets are on sale until 8 January 2025, while live streaming tickets will be released in January.

Image © Shutterstock

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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.