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Swiss strengthen institute for veterinary expertise
The Institute of Virology and Immunology in Switzerland has incorporated the University of Bern's Institute of Veterinary Virology
The Institute of Virology and Immunology in Switzerland has incorporated the University of Bern's Institute of Veterinary Virology

Move will strengthen skills, research and teaching in animal disease control

The Federal Government in Switzerland and the University of Bern have combined their veterinary expertise to create a new authority for animal health.

The university's Institute of Veterinary Virology has become part of  the Swiss Federal Office of Food Safety and Veterinary Office's Institute of Virology and Immunology ( IVI ).

The announcement over the move, said it would strengthen skills, research and teaching in the fields of animal health and disease control. The two authorities have already worked closely together for a number of years but this is the first time that they have been formally integrated together.

The IVI is the Swiss reference laboratory for diagnosis , monitoring and control of highly infectious animal diseases such as avian influenza , foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever. It also examines the emergence of new diseases in animals and its potential for transmission to humans.

It is led by Prof Volker Thiel ( virology ) and Prof Artur Summerfield ( immunology) – both are members of the university.

For more information about IVI , see www.ivi.admin.ch

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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.