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Scottish SPCA receives health and safety fine
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Middlebank Wildlife Centre has not been used to house animals since 2012.
Society failed to follow duties on housing wild birds

The Scottish SPCA has been fined £5,000 after pleading guilty to a single charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

The organisation told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that it failed to follow some of its duties associated with the housing of wild birds at Middlebank Wildlife Centre in Dunfermline. The Centre closed in 2012.

“This is the first time that the Society has had criminal proceedings taken against it for failing to comply with its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act,” explained a Scottish SPCA spokesperson.

“We would like to reassure our staff, supporters and stakeholders that all professional advice and recommendations in relation to risks associated with housing wild birds have been acted upon.”

Once a farm building, Middlebank Wildlife Centre has not been used to house animals since 2012. Through public donations, the Scottish SPCA created a state-of-the-art national wildlife research centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire.

“We are indebted to the generosity of the public for their assistance in funding the project, and its continued 700,000 per annum operating costs,” the organisation said.

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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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BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'