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World's largest moth found in UK
Giant caterpillars now being reared at animal centre

Thirty offspring of an exotic giant moth are being reared at a butterfly farm in Greater Manchester.

The moth, which has a wingspan of one foot (30cm), was discovered on a windowsill in Ramsbottom, Lancashire, by 41-year-old Jonathan Blackmore.

The family thought the large creature was a bat until it landed and Mr Blackmore's wife was able to look it up on the internet.

They identified it as a giant atlas moth, which is normally found more than 6,000 miles away in its native home of Malaysia, south east Asia. It is the biggest species of moth in the world.

Giant atlases do not eat and only live for a week, however, before it died, the Blackmore family took it to Animal World in Bolton where it laid eggs.

About 30 caterpillars have since hatched, which are now six inches long and are soon expected to make cocoons where they will incubate for about a year.

Centre manager, Mark Lightowler, said the moth may have been part of a private collection and escaped, or it may have been transported here in cargo.

He added that the caterpillars "will certainly be as large as the moth brought here."

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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

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News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.