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VMD updates export certificate guidance
writing
VMD made changes to the guidance to help remove admin burdens.
New guidance reflects changes in procedure

Guidance on how to apply for a veterinary medicine export certificate has been updated to reflect new procedures.

Earlier this year, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) announced that it had implemented changes to the Export Certificate Scheme.

Additional pages may be submitted as part of Defra-1, Defra-2 and Defra-4 applications, which can be attached to the export certificate.

The authorities of importing countries have stringent rules on the paperwork that the importer must provide. This could include information that the VMD cannot verify, which is why the change has been introduced.

While the VMD will approve additional pages, the information cannot contradict that included in the export certificate, export certificate schedule, product literature, summary of product characteristics or the manufacturing or marketing authorisation.

Additional pages must include certain wording in a box at the foot of each page. For the wording, view the VMD's guidance.

The VMD also removed the requirement to provide indemnity letters and an annual updated list of personnel at each of the companies authorised to apply for export certificates.

In addition, there is a target of 10 working days for the VMD to issue the export documentation or inform the importer of why the certificate will not be issued.

The VMD is rewriting all of its guidance to better meet the needs of users.

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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.