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AMTRA launches survey into SQP role
AMTRA manages the registrations of over 6,000 SQPs.
It aims to raise more awareness of an SQP’s roles and responsibilities.

The Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA) has launched an industry survey into the role and impact of Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) in the veterinary sector.

The survey will seek responses from SQPs, animal owners, retailers and veterinary teams as AMTRA works to champion the important role that SQPs play in protecting animal health and wellbeing.

SQPs, also known as Registered Animal Medicines Advisors (RAMAs), are qualified to supply veterinary medicines from a practice’s pharmacy. They are responsible for providing advice on medicine supply, use and disposal.

AMTRA is the regulatory body for SQPs, managing the registration of over 6,000 qualified individuals. It also works to champion the role and its contribution to animal health and wellbeing.

It hopes that the survey will raise awareness for the regulated profession, as well as developing a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for SQPs.

AMTRA will also use the responses to inform the support that it offers to its registered members. This will include strategies for SQPs in achieving outcomes in the companion animal, equine and livestock sectors.

Hillary Cowley, deputy CEO of AMTRA, said: “At AMTRA we would like to see greater recognition of the valued role SQPs play in contributing to animal wellbeing, including as an integral part of the vet-lead team, supporting responsible animal ownership, and providing advice on prudent medicines supply, use, disposal, and general animal care.

“We hope the survey helps us build a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities for our profession so that we can help shape future support and continue delivering excellence.”

The findings will be published at a summer stakeholder event on 11 June at Harper Adams University.

The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and closes on Friday, 28 March. Those who complete the survey can be entered into a prize draw for a Fortnum & Mason hamper to the value of £75.

The survey can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.