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Vet students get heads for business
Students learn about commercial realities
Fifth year vet students at The University of Nottingham are getting a chance to learn all about the commercial realities of running a vet practice.

The new extra mural business placement is being pioneered by the School for Veterinary Medicine and Science. As part of their final year students are being offered two weeks of hands on experience in the commercial world of clinical practice.
 
The placement takes a student through the process of finding an appropriate site and property to set up a new practice, utilising demographic software to determine the target client profile, assessing the competition and understanding the commercial considerations of running a successful business. The students then get the chance to look at how to equip the practice, get it ready to trade and put together their very own five year business plan.
 
The students also learn about the staff recruitment and development process, marketing initiatives as well as interpreting operational information, and management key performance indicators. Finally they will learn how to improve the performance of the business and get it ready for sale.
 
Professor Gary England, Foundation Dean of the School for Veterinary Medicine and Science, said: “We hope that many students will see the advantages of gaining a commercial perspective alongside their academic studies. We want our course to prepare students for when they qualify, rather than purely teach the science, this initiative expands the opportunities for our students and we will continue to look at ways we can challenge and support our students in their studies and beyond.”

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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
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.