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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th February 2019
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

Vets offered free certification training
In the event of a no deal Brexit there will be increased demand for Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for animal products.
APHA unveils plans in case of no deal Brexit 

Vets will be offered free training to certify the export of animal products to the EU, in a bid to help the UK prepare for a possible no deal Brexit.

In the event of a no deal Brexit there will be increased demand for Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for animal products. The UK’s chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens previously estimated that the volume of products needing veterinary certification could increase by as much as 325 per cent.

To meet the potential rise in demand, the APHA has announced free online training for the Official Controls Qualification for Products Export (OCQ(V) - PX), and the prerequisite courses in Essential Skills (OCQ(V) - ES) and Exports General (OCQ(V) - EX).

All three qualifications must be held in order to certify the export of animal products.

Training is provided by Improve International and is open to official veterinarians (OVs) who are registered on the database but do not hold the OCQ(V) - PX, and vets who are not currently OVs but wish to offer PX certification services.

BVA president Simon Doherty welcomed the news:

“It’s great to see that APHA is planning ahead and incentivising the uptake of export qualifications across the veterinary workforce. A no deal Brexit could see the requirement for veterinary certification services spiralling, so it makes sense to prepare ahead to ensure that there is adequate supply of suitably qualified vets to meet this demand in case no agreement is reached.
 
“We’ve repeatedly raised concerns about the veterinary workforce’s capacity to meet increased demand for services including certification and health testing in the event of a no deal Brexit.  We will continue to engage with the government to ensure that the potential impacts of this scenario on both the workforce and animal welfare are understood and factored into contingency planning.”

The Welsh Government announced similar plans last week.

In order to take up the free training, contact the APHA OV team on 0208 026 1094 and provide your RCVS registration number and details of the qualification you wish to apply for.

Candidates must apply and be registered on the database and/or enrolled on the course by 29 March 2019. Access to free training may be withdrawn if the UK agrees on a deal with the EU that results in an implementation period.
 

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

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
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."