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New Research to Increase Food Security
Photo by Ashley Banyard.
£13M of new research is being launched to tackle the significant and growing threat posed by livestock diseases to global food security and livelihoods in developing countries.

(The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID), with a contribution from the Scottish Government, have joined forces to fund 16 new projects that bring together world-class UK researchers with institutions in the developing world. The projects aim to find sustainable solutions to the animal disease threat to improve food security and help to build scientific capacity in the developing world to meet future challenges. Examples of the projects launched include developing and introducing a dip-stick test for ‘Goat Plague’, comparing Foot and Mouth disease in wildlife and livestock and developing a vaccine to control deadly Liver Fluke.

Photo by Tadelle Dessie.
The research will also have significant benefits for UK farmers and consumers. Livestock diseases such as foot and mouth disease, bluetongue, African swine fever and peste des petits ruminants virus are a global concern. Over the past 15 years livestock diseases are estimated to have cost the UK economy over £15Bn.

BBSRC Chief Executive, Professor Douglas Kell, said: “Joining with partners from developing countries, UK science can provide a solid platform for providing disease management solutions from better vaccinations through to more sophisticated diagnostic techniques which will not only transform the lives of millions across the developing world, but also generate a more stable livestock infrastructure globally for the benefit of us all.”

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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.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
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.'