News and communications

Second-largest rodent thriving in Essex

• Updated: 28 March 2024

New measures will close existing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous breeders and traders

• Updated: 15 March 2024

Views sought on targeted culling with increased use of badger vaccination

• Updated: 14 March 2024

Joint VMD-HPRA guidance explaining additional information permissible on the labelling and package leaflet of veterinary medicines jointly labelled for the UK and Irish market.

• Updated: 8 February 2024

Letter from the Animal Sentience Committee to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee on the welfare implications of adding XL Bully dogs to the Dangerous Dogs Act.

• Updated: 6 February 2024

New measures aim to reduce dog attacks on livestock

• Updated: 2 February 2024

New law will create a new specific offence for dog and cat abduction

• Updated: 19 January 2024

Four committee member terms are extended.

• Updated: 1 January 2024

It is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.

• Updated: 31 December 2023

UK Chief Vet urges owners to take all necessary steps to ensure they are complying with the law

• Updated: 18 December 2023

New legislation on primates as pets introduced today.

• Updated: 14 December 2023

New legislation introduces penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences

• Updated: 11 December 2023

Export of livestock for slaughter and fattening will be banned under new legislation.

• Updated: 4 December 2023

Details of deficiencies found during an inspection.

• Updated: 14 November 2023

Owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme or instead can apply for compensation related to euthanasia costs.

• Updated: 14 November 2023

From 31 December 2023 breeding, selling, advertising, rehoming, abandoning and allowing an XL Bully dog to stray will be illegal.

• Updated: 31 October 2023

Two West Midlands farmers who neglected their livestock have been successfully prosecuted following an investigation by the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

• Updated: 24 October 2023

Action reinforces UK’s commitment to delivering better animal welfare standards both at home and abroad.

• Updated: 19 September 2023

The Government has announced today that ‘American XL Bully’ dogs will be banned.

• Updated: 15 September 2023

Permanent vacancy for an Administrative Officer in the Information Coordination and Engagement Team.

• Updated: 10 July 2023