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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 19th August 2014
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Ketamine rescheduling consultation now open
Ketamine on table
Ketamine is widely used in the veterinary profession, as well as recreationally.
Consultation seeks views of veterinary professionals on the recommendation to reschedule ketamine to a Schedule 2 drug.

A twelve-week public consultation on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed is currently underway and will run until November 3, 2014.

Earlier this year, changes of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came into force, which included the reclassification of ketamine as a Class B drug - meaning that the maximum penalty for unlawful possession increased from two to five years in jail.

Ketamine, which is widely used in the veterinary profession as an anaesthetic and analgesic, is also used recreationally.  

A report by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)  revealed that heavy and frequent misuse of ketamine is linked to various physical and psychological problems, including chronic toxicity to the bladder leading to numerous reports of individuals having to have their bladders removed.

As well as suggesting that ketamine be reclassified to Class B,  the report suggested that, subject to public consultation, it be rescheduled to Schedule 2 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. It is illegal to possess Schedule 2 drugs without a prescription or to supply or produce them without a licence.

The Minister for Crime Prevention accepted the ACMD advice and on 10 June, 2014 ketamine was reclassified as a Class B drug.

During the consultation, the Home Office is interested to hear the views of the public, especially health and veterinary organisations and professionals, on the appropriate schedule in which ketamine should be listed. A final decision will be made by the Minister after the public consultation.  Until then ketamine remains a Schedule 4 Part 1 drug.

An online response page is available for anybody on would like to respond online. The consultation document and consultation stage impact assessment is available at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ketamine-rescheduling-consultation 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.