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Nominations open for AMTRA council representatives
AMTRA is seeking representatives in the RAMA categories of farm animal, equine and companion animal practice.
The not-for-profit is seeking eight RAMA's to join its board.

Nominations for council representatives on the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) Board have opened.

AMTRA Council advises the board and AMTRA secretariet on various issues affecting Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs) and ensures that their voices are represented on the Council.

This year there are eight available seats for council representatives compared to six in previous years. Representatives are elected by Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs) to represent those working in the industry. 

Specifically, AMTRA Council is seeking two RAMAs each representing the categories of farm animal, equine and companion animal practice. The chair of council will also appointing a further four representatives to ensure that all voices and areas of the industry are covered.

John Blackwell, AMTRA vice-chair and AMTRA council chair, commented: “The inclusion of RAMAs who are working ‘on the front line’ is, for me, crucial in formulating strategy and policy, bringing current ideas to the table and helping the Council make good decisions.”

“It’s important that all areas of our industry are represented, and by further increasing the number of RAMAs on council, we are gold-plating and increasing the breadth and depth of the council." 

He added: “We encourage an open flow of communication, in both directions, but there’s scope to make of the role whatever you wish, and RAMAs may have some ideas we haven't thought of,” he adds.

Board members will be required to attend four Zoom meetings per year and to contribute to these in a meaningful way. Representatives may also be required to respond to occasional emails or correspondence from AMTRA staff on various topics.

Nominations should be emailed to stephen@amtra.org.uk with a 250-word explanation to fellow RAMAs about why they believe they are suitable for the role. The closing date for applications is 15 November 2022. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.