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Views sought on veterinary medicines containing zinc oxide
pig vet
Interested parties are being invited to provide written comment on proposals to withdraw veterinary medicines containing zinc oxide.
VMD invites opinion from interested parties

EU Member States are being invited to provide written comment on proposals to withdraw veterinary medicines containing zinc oxide.

In December 2016, the EMA’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) concluded that the benefit/risk ratio for veterinary medicines containing zinc oxide is negative and that this class of products should be withdrawn.

But following numerous appeals from across the EU, the CVMP has been requested to re-examine this conclusion, with a final announcement expected in March.

In light of this review, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate - which represents the CVMP in the UK - is now calling on interested parties to submit relevant evidence via their proforma.

Specifically, the VMD is looking for comments relating to:

    •    the impact of product withdrawal on pig health and welfare and/or pig productivity
    •    husbandry and/or production system changes that will be necessary to mitigate this impact, and the economic cost of these changes
    •    effective alternatives to zinc oxide, either currently available or in development

The deadline for submission of responses is 11.59pm on 21 February. Submissions should be concise, written in English and limited to 2000 words, excluding references.

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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.