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VMD appoints new CEO
Pictured: Abigail Seager.
Experienced civil servant Abigail Seager will take over the role.

Yesterday (13 September) the VMD announced that it has appointed Abigail Seager as its new CEO.

Seager has previously held roles in the VMD including director of the authorisations, head of the EU exit and international office, and head of the general assessment and imports team. 

Seager's pre-VMD roles include deputy head of fisheries legislation for Defra, and roles within the Ministry of Justice. 

David Kennedy, Defra's general director for food, commented on the announcement in a government news release: "I’m very excited about this appointment.

“Abi is incredibly well placed to lead the organisation in the next phase. I look forward to working closely with Abi and VMD as they ensure veterinary medicines continue to be safe, together with growing their international business and leading our work on AMR.”

Abigail succeeds Professor Pete Borriello, who has held the post for 10 years. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.