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Institute for Global Food Security welcomes proposals for NI vet school
(Pictured) Professor Nigel Scollan, director of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University, Belfast.

Expertise is already in place to deliver a veterinary curriculum, says director.

The Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS) at Queen’s University Belfast has welcomed the announcement that the Northern Irish government is considering the possibility of establishing a veterinary school in the area.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) announced last week that it has commissioned an options analysis to increase veterinary supply in Northern Ireland. This includes consideration around opening a veterinary school locally.

IGFS director Professor Nigel Scollan said: "This is very welcome news. The need for a veterinary school for Northern Ireland is evident and pressing and the strategic timing is very appropriate.

"There is considerable relevant expertise already based within Queen's, AFBI, Ulster University, CAFRE, DAERA, and within the commercial animal-health sector to deliver a veterinary curriculum and contribute to wider health and life sciences.

"As well as providing skilled professionals, a veterinary school would deliver research and innovation activities that would drive economic growth and attract inward investment."

Currently, those wishing to study veterinary science at degree level in Northern Ireland have no option but to go to the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain or further afield to do so. The new options analysis aims to improve Northern Ireland's ability to provide veterinary training, thereby increasing its long term supply of veterinary staff.

The options analysis will be taken forward by DAERA, in partnership with the Strategic Investment Board, under the joint oversight of DAERA’s chief veterinary officer and senior representatives from Queen’s and Ulster universities.

An announcement on the best potential outcome is expected to be complete before the end of the year.

Image (c) IGFS.

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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.