MerlinVet & Numnuts at The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme Conference
February 12, 2025
MerlinVet’s Managing Director, David Taylor, and MerlinVet-cel’s Group Business Development Manager, Jane Hutcheon, recently attended the annual Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme Conference in Inverness.
The scheme’s aim is to ‘ensure the provision of an adequate veterinary service to prevent & eradicate animal diseases for all animals kept for agricultural purposes and belonging to crofters and others of like economic status.’ The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services
Scheme supports large animal veterinary practices in remote areas of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to provide practical veterinary cover to crofters and their animals, which is vital in the role of preventing & identifying animal disease.
Clarification on the Law in Scotland
Andrew Voas, Scottish Government Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare spoke on the updated legislation of lamb tail docking and castration. As distributors of Numnuts, the MerlinVet team were able to demonstrate to vets the advantages and ease of use of the device, thus being able to support their farmers when the time comes later in Spring. Andrew Voas reaffirmed that it is legal in Scotland to use rings for lamb marking up to 12 weeks of age provided that a local anaesthetic is used. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officers in attendance stated that now that there is a legal and approved means of applying local anaesthetic at the time of ringing, then farms who are ringing at over 7 days and not using local anaesthetic will be penalised.
This clarification brings significant relief to Scottish farmers and veterinarians seeking reassurance on the legality of using Numnuts. This innovative method minimises the pain and distress typically associated with traditional rubber ringing procedures. Scottish legislation allows this practice up to 3 months, ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards and providing a compassionate alternative to older methods.
Current legislation is more restrictive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with rubber rings for castration or tail docking being prohibited on lambs older than 7 days. We are hopeful that the situation will change - please consider petitioning your local MP or NFU Representative to align the legislation across the UK.
Numnuts®
Numnuts® is a 2-in-1 device that administers an Elastrator® ring along with a pre-calibrated dose of local anaesthetic. This device makes giving fast-acting targeted pain relief for castration and tail docking of lambs easy, fast, and safe. The Numnuts® Device allows farmers and vets to provide best practice without compromising on safety and efficiency. No other device exists that allows farmers and vets to provide targeted pain relief to lambs during tail docking and castration.
View more information on Numnuts here
Order Numnuts here
Other sessions also included the eradication of sheep scab, and Glasgow Vet School gave a demonstration of their calving simulator used for vet students and farmers. Hector Low from Stornoway Vets, pictured below with Jane, won the prize raffle competition on the stand, taking home a bottle of MerlinVet-branded Caorunn Gin.
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Job Description: MerlinVet Group is hiring for the role of Warehouse Operative. We are looking to recruit a full time warehouse operative to join our team in Kelso where we pick, pack and dispatch orders on a daily basis. Hours: This role will be full-time, 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday Location: Kelso, Scottish Borders Salary: To be determined, 30 days holiday (including public holidays), company pension Key Responsibilities: Prepare and process orders for daily courier pickup (pick, pack, wrap, label, ship) Receive and process incoming goods and supplies (unload, label, store) Check for damaged or missing items and report appropriately Monthly stock audits and ongoing stock control Keep a clean and safe working environment and optimise space utilisation Computer skills – specific Warehouse Management software training will be given Report any discrepancies to RPs (responsible person(s)) Communicate and cooperate with other members of the warehouse team Follow quality service standards and comply with procedures, rules and regulations – training in Good Distribution Practice will be given Other duties as required Key Skills: Good organisational and time management skills Ability to lift heavy objects Ability to work in a team Proficiency in computer systems Full clean UK driving licence (desirable) Whilst experience in warehouse/stores would be preferable, all training can be provided where required Who will I be working for? At MerlinVet, we comprise a bespoke wholesaler, import/export business, buying group, health plan provider, and anaesthetic gas exposure monitoring service. By listening to the needs of vets we provide products, services, business solutions and support needed to run efficient and profitable practices. Website: merlinvetuk.co.uk Equal Opportunities MerlinVet is an equal opportunities employer, and we embrace the benefits that a diverse workforce brings. We welcome applications regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability or medical condition, ethnicity, race, religion, family status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by appropriate law. How do I apply? Please email a copy of your CV and cover letter to Julia Tait by 23:59 on 12/09/2025: julia@merlinvet.co.uk
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