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 anim al 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.
MerlinVet will once again be exhibiting at London Vet Show on 19 – 20 November 2026 at ExCeL London. You’ll be able to find us at Stand L51. Our main feature for 2026 will be our buying group, MerlinVet-cel . We’ll be there to divulge the benefits of being a member of the country’s longest established veterinary buying group. Whether you’re a current member, or are interested in joining, pop over to our stand for a chat and see how we can support you to make sure you’re CMA ready and ultimately help you retain your business. Shoot some hoops Have a go at our basketball game for a chance to win a variety of prizes, from pens to a tablet! And if you’re already a MerlinVet-cel member, you could win some brand new branded scrubs; while non-members could bag a Samsung tablet. All participants will at least get some sweets, so it’s definitely worthwhile to give it a go. Phone Charging Station Back by popular demand for 2026, you’ll be able to visit our recharge station to give your phone that extra bit of juice. We know how busy London Vet Show can be with saving new contacts, scanning badges, and taking photos of stands – your phone will feel tired too. Make sure it doesn’t unexpectedly give out just as you need to access your train ticket home; visit our stand to fill up on much needed battery life! It’s not just MerlinVet-cel that will be showcased, with staff representing MerlinVet Group on hand to discuss any of the following with you (plus more): MerlinVet UK – UK wholesaler with expertise in Special Import Products MerlinVet Export Anaesthetic Gas Monitoring Online MerlinVet Pet Shops Bespoke & Limitless Health Plans & Treatment Plans Home Delivery of Prescription Products: MerlinVet Direct About MerlinVet-cel MerlinVet-cel is proudly independent and veterinary-owned. Since 1984, we have supported independent veterinary practices of all sizes across the UK, growing alongside our members while providing comprehensive business support to help practices thrive. We help improve businesses’ profitability through: Competitive Buying Business Support Reduced Administration Freedom to order what you like We’re the country’s longest established buying group with 300+ member practices saving thousands annually as part of a supportive network. Find out more on the MerlinVet-cel website. About London Vet Show The London Vet Show is the pinnacle of veterinary education, dedicated to providing high-quality CPD. With a carefully curated programme developed by veterinary experts, the event features handpicked speakers renowned for their knowledge and experience in tackling common challenges faced by veterinary teams. This two-day conference allows you to learn from industry-leading speakers, gain valuable insights, and transform your career and practice. It’s also the perfect platform for building connections. Engage with passionate veterinary professionals, pioneers, and experts from all over the world to discuss key topics, find creative solutions, and share ideas. Don’t miss the Vet Show Happy Hour on the show floor, a great way to unwind and network with the community. The event showcases over 425 industry-leading exhibitors, offering a unique opportunity to explore the latest innovations, try out new equipment, and chat with suppliers. Whether you’re comparing products or testing cutting-edge technology, the exhibition floor is where the future of veterinary care unfolds. The London Vet Show is not just about education – it’s an unparalleled experience, packed with opportunities for professional growth, networking, and hands-on learning. Don’t miss out on this exciting event, designed to elevate your veterinary practice and career to new heights. Register here About MerlinVet MerlinVet is a full-service veterinary solutions provider for practices in both the UK and abroad, with specialisms in fertility equipment, sourcing Special Import Products which other wholesalers cannot provide, and exporting veterinary products globally. With additional expertise in providing health plan solutions and ways to maximise your practice’s revenue, as well as gas exposure monitoring and our buying group, our deep sector knowledge can add a touch of animal magic to practices, and ultimately fulfil our main ambitions of supporting the veterinary industry while enhancing animal health and welfare. View our highlights from LVS 2025 for Day One and Day Two . If you’re visiting us at London Vet Show, make sure you’re following us on our socials to keep up to date with our activities: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Join our mailing list
MerlinVet will be exhibiting at Vet Dynamics Conference on 17th – 19th September 2026 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Our staff will be on-hand to answer any queries from new start-ups, established practices, or existing customers. We’ll be showcasing our wide range of services including our wholesale business with a specialism in Special Import Products, our export business, as well as our buying group, MerlinVet-cel. Speak to Jane on stand to discover the benefits of becoming a member of the country’s longest established veterinary buying group. You can find out more here . In addition, we’ll also be available to demonstrate our IT solution, Talon, which provides the online portal for MerlinVet Pet Shops, Health & Treatment Plans, and MerlinVet Direct. It’s our robust and intuitive practice portal software, tailored by the prescribing vet to their individual requirements and branding. Speak to Amy on stand to find out more about: Online MerlinVet Pet Shops – Expand your practice’s revenue whilst we do all the work Health Plans & Treatment Plans – Bespoke and limitless health plans and treatment plans Home Delivery: MerlinVet Direct – Home delivery of prescription products with MerlinVet Direct Find out more here .
With the news that Coltronics has ceased trading, remember that you can monitor anaesthetic exposure in your workplace safely and accurately through MerlinSalus PAM . Benefits of Personal Anaesthetic Monitoring: - Measures staff exposure level - More accurate than environmental measurement - Badges & tubes are light, unobtrusive, and practical - Helps comply with COSHH, Work Exposure Limits, and RCVS Practice Standards and Training Practices Order at: https://www.saluspam.com/
