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RSPCA push for immediate circus animal ban
Licensing delay not acceptable says RSPCA

The RSPCA is urging the government to ban wild animals in travelling circuses in England as soon as possible.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) circus licensing scheme was passed in the House of Commons on Tuesday (29 October), which the charity says could mean a delay of up to seven years.

The government had said it would peruse the ban on the use of animals, following a consultation in 2010 that found 94 per cent of the 10,500 analysed responses favoured a ban.

The RSPCA, as well as numerous other animal welfare groups, including Captive Animal's Protection Society, believe the ban is the only way forward.

Gavin Grant, RSPCA chief executive, said: "We were delighted in March when the Government announced a ban would happen. Seven months later, nothing has happened to make the ban a reality.

"Anything short of a full ban is simply unacceptable."

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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.