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Feline duo claw their way to the top
Pixie and Smudge
Pixie and Smudge, who belong to Steve Reed, MP for Croydon North, secured 41 per cent of the vote

Pixie and Smudge are joint Purr Ministers
 
A coalition of cats has taken the top spot in Westminster for the first time, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has revealed. Feline duo Pixie and Smudge have been chosen as co-Purr Ministers in the charity's annual competition.

For the third year running, cat-owning MPs across the country nominated their political pets for the top job, launching their own 'manifurstos' explaining why their cat deserves to rule the nation.

Pixie and Smudge, who belong to Steve Reed, MP for Croydon North, secured 41 per cent of the vote - winning over the public with their leadership promises.

Their winning manifursto read: 'Super-friendly Pixie shows leadership potential in stealing Smudge’s breakfast every morning, but Smudge shows he has the initiative to succeed by choosing the spot underneath the garden bird feeder as his favourite resting place.'

Proud owner Mr Reed said he was "absolutely thrilled" that the pair had taken the crown as Westminster's first co-Purr Ministers. "In a day of much political division, they have shown that collaboration and working together wins through," he added.

"These siblings were both rescue cats, and I’m delighted we’ve been able to take part in Purr Minister 2016, and promote the essential work that Battersea Dogs & Cats Home do in saving and rehoming so many animals every day."

The new Purr Ministers will now get a taste of political stardom, joining the likes of Number 10 cat Larry and last year's Purr Minister Billy.

Battersea's head of catteries Lindsay Quinlan congratulated the pair: "We are so pleased to present this esteemed Battersea award to them and are sure this duo will enjoy being the new feline face of politics.

"We know they will do a sterling job to represent rescue cats across the land, and we wish them well in all their political pussycat endeavours!"

Image courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.