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BVA Anxious for Answers after Vet Surveillance Report
Concerns raised after the publication of Kinnaird Review leaves questions unanswered.

The British Veterinary Association, while welcoming the publication of the Kinnaird Review of Scottish Government Veterinary Surveillance, has also expressed its concern that many questions are left unanswered about the future provision of services.

Amongst the recommendations in the review was the rationalisation of the service, including scope for the reduction in the number of Disease Surveillance Centres (DSCs), while still maintaining current levels of diagnostic services.

Carl Padgett, the President of the BVA, said: "We know that those in the veterinary profession and in industry have been anxious to find out the results of the Kinnaird review and so we welcome the publication of this report. In particular we welcome the recommendation that the current level of diagnostic services should be retained."

He added: "However, we are concerned that a degree of uncertainty remains over the long-term future of the SAC's eight Disease Surveillance Centres."

Mr Padgett is keen for the BVA to "engage with the new strategic management board as they begin to discuss with stakeholders and staff how the rationalisation should take place," and he also expressed his eagerness for veterinary representation on the board.

He concluded: "Any decisions on closure must be based on good surveillance and diagnostic outcomes, not on pure financial savings. The proposed centralisation of the laboratory services should only be carried out if it improves efficiency and maintains or enhances the current performance."

In support, Robert Anderson - the President of BVA Scottish Branch - said: "We are pleased to see the recognition of the high quality of service provided by the SAC Disease Surveillance Centres, which is valued by vets in practice....But we are somewhat surprised that the report leaves us with questions about how the rationalisation will take shape and how long the process will take."

To access the report click here.


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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. 

Click here for more...
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.