The following online application services are unavailable:

• Special Import Certificates
• Special Treatment Certificates

In urgent cases you may purchase and use an imported veterinary medicine prior to obtaining a certificate from the VMD. This is a special dispensation which only applies to the VMD online system whilst this service is unavailable. You should obtain an import certificate retrospectively as soon as possible.

• Research Import Certificates
• Export Certificates
• Microchip Adverse Event Reporting
• Animal Adverse Reaction Reporting
• Human Adverse Reaction Reporting

The following online information services are also unavailable:

• Product Information Database
• Register of SQP Retailer Premises
• Register of SQPs
• List of Accredited Internet Retailers
• Register of Specific Manufacturing Authorisations

We are working on the problem and this notice will be updated once we know more or the services have been restored.

If you have any urgent issues contact postmaster@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk

The VMD apologises for any inconvenience.

The Living Planet Symposium is held every three years and focuses on the contribution of Earth Observation to science and society, disruptive technologies and new opportunities for the public and private sectors.

The UK Space Agency’s Head of Earth Observation and Climate, Beth Greenaway, will present the agency’s ambitious vision for Earth Observation through to 2040 as part of the main programme today (Monday 13 May).

Beth Greenaway, Head of Earth Observation and Climate, said:

We are proud to be sponsoring ESA’s Living Planet Symposium which is an important event in the Earth Observation calendar.

The strength and depth of UK science and industry will be showcased throughout the week and we look forward to highlighting important collaborations, through ESA and others, which underpin this strength.

The event is organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) and is this year being supported by the Italian Space Agency. The UK Space Agency is a sponsor of the event having hosted the 2013 event in Edinburgh.

The UK has world-leading satellite Earth Observation capability, from developing and building missions to managing and exploiting data and creating trusted applications and services. Earth Observation services are already supporting £92 billion worth of the wider UK economy and are growing rapidly.

As part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is building on this strength while growing our share of the global space market.

The UK Space Agency is also hosting a stand in the exhibition space throughout the week showcasing the UK’s collaboration in international Earth Observation missions, programmes and organisations. The exhibition stand will include presentations from UK scientists, industry and project partners covering a range of issues such as land and sea surface temperature, biomass and deforestation, and innovative technology such as video from space.

In March the UK Space Agency revealed that every £1 of public spending generates up to £4 in value for the recipients in the space industry, with additional benefits to the UK economy.

The innovative cancer treatment aid 5-ALA is now available across the country and will transform treatment for patients.

Known as ‘the pink drink’, 5-ALA uses fluorescent dye and ultraviolet light to make cancerous cells glow under UV light. This allows surgeons to more accurately identify the affected areas of the brain.

The treatment aid will help to tackle some of the hardest to treat cases and make sure healthy cells are left untouched. 

Around 2,000 patients a year could benefit, according to new figures released today.

The announcement comes one year on from the death of Baroness Tessa Jowell, who died from brain cancer in May 2018.

The treatment aid has been rolled out in every neurological centre in England as part of the NHS’s contribution to the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission, established by the government after her death.

The NHS Long Term Plan aims to save thousands more lives by catching more cancers early and starting treatment fast. The ambition is that by 2028, an extra 55,000 people each year will survive for 5 years or more following their cancer diagnosis.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, said: 

Tessa Jowell fought passionately and courageously for more recognition of rare brain cancers before she tragically passed away last year.

One year on, the effects of her tireless campaigning can already been seen. I am proud to announce we have now rolled out this groundbreaking treatment aid across the country, transforming care for 2,000 patients every year – a fitting testament to Tessa’s memory.

A cancer diagnosis is life-changing, but I want every single patient to feel reassured that they have access to the best and fastest care in our wonderful NHS. While more people are surviving cancer than ever before, we can and must do more, especially for people with few options left like those with rare brain cancer.

As part of our Long Term Plan, this new pioneering technology is already saving lives – offering thousands of patients a greater chance of recovery and hope for the future.

Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director at NHS England, said:

This is a positive step forward for brain cancer treatment and patients are already benefiting from Tessa Jowell’s inspirational campaigning in her final months.

Transforming the lives of millions of people with cancer is at the heart of NHS England’s Long Term Plan and we are rapidly driving forward action to catch more cancers earlier, provide innovative new treatments and save tens of thousands more lives every year.

The trucker, who was seen holding his credit card and phone in each hand, was among over 3,000 dangerous drivers filmed by three unmarked HGV ‘supercabs’ in the past year to improve safety on England’s high-speed roads.

View the footage below:

Trucker uses both hands for credit card payment on M40

The cabs, which are funded by Highways England, have travelled thousands of miles since they first took to the road 12 months ago and police offers inside the vehicles have recorded over 3,500 offences.

All three cabs are now being used for a week of action on the M1 to improve safety on England’s most used motorway.

Highways England’s traffic officers will also be joining forces with the emergency services from today (Monday 13 May) to provide free tyre checks and safety tips to drivers at motorway services by the M1.

Richard Leonard, Head of Road Safety at Highways England, said:

Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel but some are putting themselves and others at risk.

We introduced the three new HGV supercabs last year to help keep the roads safe and tackle dangerous driving by people who have either got into bad habits or are simply ignoring the law.

The cabs have helped to identify over 3,000 unsafe drivers over the past year, and we hope our week of action on the M1 will encourage everyone to think about what more they could do to improve how they drive.

The three Highways England supercabs patrol motorways and major A roads across England, and have been used by 29 police forces over the past year in a safety initiative known as Operation Tramline.

They allow police officers to film evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by pulling up alongside vehicles, and drivers are then pulled over by police cars following a short distance behind.

The supercabs have a de-restricted speed limiter which means they can travel at speeds up to the national speed limit, and flashing lights have been installed for use by police forces in an emergency.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham said:

Operation Tramline is a successful collaboration between the police and Highways England.

We remain committed to tackling those who take unnecessary risks with their own safety and the safety of others on our roads by allowing themselves to be distracted while driving. The consequences of these actions are often devastating.

We will continue to work alongside Highways England on Operation Tramline and will prosecute drivers who ignore the risks.

Other footage captured using the cabs in their first year included a van driver who was spotted with no hands on the wheel as he used one hand to change gear and the other to hold his mobile phone. The incident happened as he travelled along the A38 near Derby, even though he pulled into a service station to stop just a few seconds later.

Van driver with no hands on wheel on A38

The driver of a pick-up truck was also filmed without his hands on the wheel as he travelled along the M60 near Eccles in Greater Manchester. The footage shows the driver with both hands on his phone as he writes a text message.

Pick-up truck driver uses both hands for text message on M60

Tom Cotton, Road Haulage Association’s head of licencing and infrastructure policy, said:

We need to improve road safety – there’s a small minority of drivers whose actions endanger other road users often with tragic consequences.

Operation Tramline is an invaluable initiative to help police catch the drivers putting themselves and others at risk.

Around one in three of the drivers filmed breaking the law by the supercabs had someone in their vehicle not wearing a seatbelt, despite statistics showing that one in four people killed in car crashes in 2017 were not wearing seatbelts.

Drivers illegally using a mobile phone while driving was the second most common offence captured by the cabs, with the latest figures showing that mobile phone use is a factor in one death on the roads every 12 days.

The most common offences included:

• not wearing seatbelt – 1,195
• using mobile phone – 1,062
• not in proper control of vehicle – 262
• speeding – 118

Police officers issued 462 penalty charge notices and filed 2,533 traffic offence reports – usually requiring drivers to attend a driver education course. There were also 73 prosecutions for more serious offences.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

New legislation to end puppy and kitten farming will be laid in Parliament today (13 May), the Environment Secretary Michael Gove has announced.

Known as ‘Lucy’s Law’, it will mean that puppies and kittens can no longer be sold by a third party seller – such as a pet shop or commercial dealer – unless they have bred the animal themselves. Instead, anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehoming centre.

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016 after being subjected to terrible conditions on a Welsh puppy farm. Dogs like Lucy are often kept by breeders to produce multiple litters of puppies, which are taken from their mothers at just a few weeks’ old and advertised online or sold in pet shops.

This practice causes lifelong socialisation issues for the puppy or kitten, as well as a number of preventable diseases. Today’s legislation will ensure that puppies and kittens are born and reared in a safe environment, with their mother, and sold from their place of birth.

The ban will also deter puppy smugglers who abuse the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) by bringing underage puppies into the UK which are then sold on for financial gain.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

This is about giving our animals the best possible start in life and making sure that no other animal suffers the same fate as Lucy. It will put an end to the early separation of puppies and kittens from their mothers, as well as the terrible conditions in which some of these animals are bred.

I would like to thank the tireless campaigners and animal lovers who have helped to bring about this positive change.

This is all part of our plan to make this country the best place in the world for the protection and care of animals.

Animal Welfare Minister, David Rutley said:

The legislation laid in Parliament today is the next crucial step in stamping out the appalling trade of farmed puppies and kittens.

As well as protecting and improving the lives of animals, it’s also about protecting the public from being tricked by unscrupulous sellers. Our ban on third party sales means that people can see first-hand that their new pet is healthy and has come from a responsible breeder.

Marc Abraham, Lucy’s Law campaigner and founder of Pup Aid said:

I’m absolutely thrilled that Lucy’s Law is now being laid in Parliament and will come into effect from April 2020. For years irresponsible breeders in the UK and abroad, so-called puppy farmers, have depended on commercial third party sellers – e.g. dealers and pet shops – to keep their breeding dogs and puppies in horrific conditions hidden from the public.

Lucy’s Law is named after one of the sweetest, bravest dogs I’ve ever known, and is a fitting tribute to all the victims of the cruel third party puppy trade, both past and present.

On behalf of my fellow grassroots campaigners I’d like to thank Mr Gove, Defra officials, and every single supporter, parliamentarian, celebrities, and ethical animal welfare organisation that has proudly helped make Lucy’s Law a reality.

Peter Egan, Downton Abbey actor, animal welfare campaigner, and Patron of the All-Party Parliamentary Dog Advisory Welfare Group (APDAWG) in Westminster said:

Lucy’s Law is the most exciting change in animal welfare legislation for years. Commercial third party sellers enable and encourage irresponsible and exploitative breeding and selling practices e.g. impulse purchases and smuggled puppies, leading to widespread cruelty, sick breeding dogs and their pups, and heartache for new owners.

Lucy’s Law will help make all breeders transparent and therefore accountable. This historic change in legislation is the first major step in tackling puppy farm cruelty and illegal puppy smuggling, whilst also providing greater public protection.

As the proud owner of five rescue dogs I’m extremely proud to support Lucy’s Law as it will help protect the future health and welfare of this country’s dogs and cats.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said:

We’re absolutely thrilled with today’s announcement which, if properly enforced, will help protect thousands of puppies and their mothers who are the victims of this horrific trade. We believe all puppies and kittens should be born and reared in a suitable environment, with their mother, where their welfare will be the primary concern.

Every year, the RSPCA’s officers see first-hand the devastating impact that the unscrupulous puppy trade has on dogs and their owners. Last year (2018) was the busiest year yet for our inspectors who received 4,397 complaints about the puppy trade in England alone – a 162% increase on five years ago.

We hope this ban – alongside the tougher licensing regulations that were introduced in October – will help to stamp out the underground trade that exploits these wonderful animals simply to make a quick buck.

Caroline Yates, CEO at Mayhew:

Mayhew is very pleased to hear that Lucy’s Law has now been laid in Parliament. We have long supported the call to ban third party puppy and kitten sales; and we are delighted that such legislation will come into force next year and make a difference to the lives of countless animals.

This ban is a great step forward in improving animal welfare standards, and together with the tighter licensing laws introduced last October, will result in significantly fewer animals being bred in and passed around harmful or unsuitable environments by unscrupulous breeders and dealers.

We hope this legislation will also encourage potential pet owners to first think about visiting their local rehoming shelters when searching for a puppy or dog, cat or kitten to adopt into their families.

Claire Horton, Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said:

Battersea welcomes the announcement that new legislation to put a stop to puppy and kitten farming will be laid in Parliament later today.

Each year thousands of puppies are bred in terrible conditions and then sold for large sums of money to unsuspecting members of the public. A lot of these young pups will be sickly and under-socialised, leading to high vet bills and behavioural issues that a lot of new owners are sadly not able to deal with.

Once these new regulations are approved, owners will have far greater reassurance that their new pet is happy and healthy, whether they buy from a responsible breeder or from a rescue centre such as Battersea.

The decision to ban commercial third party sales was announced in December 2018 and follows years of high-profile campaigning by animal welfare organisations. It was taken following a public consultation, from which there was over 95 per cent support for a ban. Last week the Animal Welfare Minister visited the Mayhew Animal Home in North London, a charity that rehomes puppies and kittens and which supports Lucy’s Law.

The legislation will come into force on 6 April 2020, giving industry and consumers time to prepare for the change.

Notes to editors

• For further enquiries, including images of Minister Rutley’s visit to Mayhew, please contact the Defra group press office on 0330 0416560 or 0345 051 8486 out of hours.
• Please find a short video for media use which provides advice for people on how to responsibly buy a puppy or kitten.
• If you are buying or breeding puppies, download The Puppy Contract which is a free tool that encourages responsible purchasing of puppies.