Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

National SQP Week toolkit launched
Stakeholders are urged to plan ahead for National SQP Week from 5-12 June 2026.
The inaugural campaign takes place in June 2026.

A new toolkit has been launched to help employers and stakeholders to celebrate the work of Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs).

It has been released ahead of the inaugural National SQP Week, which is set to take place from 5-12 June 2026.

The campaign is intended to celebrate the ‘professionalism, expertise and public-facing role' of the SQP. It hopes to improve understanding of the training, qualification and regulation underpinning their daily work.

It was inspired by research from the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), a not-for-profit organisation which supports the future of the SQP profession, which suggested a need for increased awareness of SQPs’ work.

According to AMTRA’s survey, only 48 per cent of animal owner respondents knew that SQPs had to be both qualified and regulated. Meanwhile 92 per cent of SQPs felt there should be more understanding of the profession across the industry.

AMTRA collaborated with other SQP regulators, Vetpol and VetSkill, to create the campaign toolkit.

The organisations have created a variety of in-practice resources for promoting SQPs, as well as social and digital communications assets. This includes downloadable materials, practical activation ideas and guidance for building engagement across different settings.

AMTRA is encouraging stakeholders to begin planning early ahead of the national week in June.

Stephen Dawson, CEO of AMTRA, said: “National SQP Week is an important opportunity to shine a light on the SQP profession in a way that hasn’t been done before. SQPs are thoroughly trained animal medicines advisors who prescribe and supply a range of animal medicines and provide appropriate advice to millions of owners every year, ensuring animals get the right treatments safely and responsibly. This is a role that rightly deserves to be celebrated for the positive impact it has on animal wellbeing. 
 
“The campaign aims to highlight not only the positive contribution SQPs make to animal health and welfare, but also the depth of knowledge and expertise they bring to the livestock, companion animal and equine sectors.”

Download the toolkit here.

Image © AMTRA/National SQP Week

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.