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Peer-Review Mentorship Program launched
If a mentee submits several successful reviews, they may be invited to become an independent reviewer.
The scheme links new peer-reviewers with mentors to build their skills.

A peer-review mentorship program has been launched to support potential peer-reviewers with building their skills.

The program will connect those wishing to become peer-reviewers with an experienced mentor to guide them with improving their skills and progressing their personal development.

The initiative is being led by Veterinary Evidence, an online, open access, peer-reviewed journal published by RCVS Knowledge. The journal aims to improve quality of care by publishing content on evidence-based veterinary medicine and its application in veterinary practice.

Mentors and mentees can register to join the peer-review program, after which they will be partnered up based on their reviewing interests. They will then be assigned a relevant paper by Veterinary Evidence to work through together across three weeks.

The mentee will be guided through the peer-reviewing process, with the mentor providing them with feedback. The combined review can then be submitted.

If the mentee submits several successful reviews, the editor-in-chief may invite them to become an independent reviewer for Veterinary Evidence.

The initiative aims to improve diversity and inclusivity, and encourages reviewers of differing disciplines and backgrounds to apply.

Veterinary Evidence hopes that this will build a broader range of perspectives and expertise in the process, and improve the quality of evidence-based content.

Kit Sturgess, editor-in-chief of Veterinary Evidence, said: “Becoming a mentee is a great way to continue your professional development as it allows you to contribute to the advancement of your field, hone your critical evaluation skills, and boost your own professional reputation.

“Signing up to become a mentor gives you an invaluable chance to enhance your own skills, knowledge and professional development, build meaningful relationships within your area of expertise, and help shape the next generation of veterinary peer reviewers.”

To register, sign-up to RCVS Knowledge’s peer-review scheme and send them an email at editorial@veterinaryevidence.org saying whether you’d like to be a mentor or mentee.

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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.