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New Stamps Highlight Plight of UK’s Mammals
One of the stamps pictures a water vole, as shown above.
The Wildlife Trusts are working to ensure the ten species of UK mammals, featured on new stamps issued today by The Royal Mail, have a wild future - not a sticky end.

Thanks to schemes undertaken by The Wildlife Trusts across the UK, many of these species - including the dormouse, otter, water vole and greater horseshoe bat - are on the road to recovery.

Paul Wilkinson, head of Living Landscape for The Wildlife Trusts, said: “We welcome The Royal Mail stamp mammal series in this, the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).

“Many people are enthused and inspired by imagery of these creatures; sleeping dormice, sleek otters and the adorable water vole – known fondly as ‘Ratty’ in Wind in the Willows – but some may not be aware of the work which goes on to ensure there is enough high quality habitat for them.

Another of the stamps features an otter.
“The Wildlife Trusts are working with landowners, local authorities and other partners on large-scale habitat restoration projects, to create A Living Landscape for wildlife and people, which will help many of these mammals, including otters, regain some ground. The Wildlife Trusts remain committed to further successes in years to come.

Paul continued: “The work we’ve been carrying out to conserve and protect these charismatic animals on reserves and in the wider landscape has been successful in preventing their further decline. But it’s vital we all see the bigger picture if we are to secure a future for these ten, and many other species of wildlife.”

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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.