Guidance and regulation

This is the Hub for all the Veterinary Medicines Directorate's communications on current and future regulatory changes.

• From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Updated: 19 April 2024

Current rules for exporting horses and other equines (including ponies and donkeys) from the UK.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency
• Updated: 12 July 2022

If you’re responsible for a farm animal you must make sure that you care for it properly.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 15 August 2023

This document provides advice on owning a dog.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 6 April 2018

How to operate a zoo, including understanding licences and inspections.

• From: Animal and Plant Health Agency and 2 others
• Updated: 9 September 2015

How to keep beef cattle and dairy cows on a farm, including your responsibilities for their food and housing.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 25 January 2024

This document provides advice on owning a horse, pony, donkey or hybrid.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 16 April 2018

Code of recommendations and guidance for laying hens, meat chickens, ducks, turkeys and other birds bred on farms.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 25 January 2024

How to contact the VMD for specific services or enquiries.

• From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Updated: 22 October 2021

Registers of authorised manufacturers, wholesale dealer sites and retailers.

• From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Updated: 4 January 2023

How to submit an application, data package and company responses for proposed or existing authorisations in the UK.

• From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Updated: 16 February 2024

Apply for a licence to introduce, keep or farm non-native fish, lobsters and crayfish.

• From: Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and 2 others
• Updated: 17 August 2023

How to keep and breed pigs, and your responsibilities for housing, feeding and looking after them.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 5 October 2023

Guidance for the veterinary pharmaceutical industry on the production of mock-ups for assessment.

• From: Veterinary Medicines Directorate
• Updated: 29 April 2024

Guidance for enforcement authorities who use penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 18 December 2023

This guidance document has been published to help local authorities carry out their duties.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 11 September 2012

This manual helps practitioners in local authorities and the police in England and Wales in dealing with dog-related incidents.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 12 November 2014

How to apply for a licence to hire out horses, and the conditions you'll need to meet.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 4 November 2020

What to do if you think you've seen a wildlife crime.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 9 July 2014

This document explains what the law is and assists each agency in defining their responsibilities.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Updated: 15 April 2011