AMTRA

11/09/2025

Don't forget to tune in to our next LIVE CPD Academy webinar this lunchtime - Thursday 11 Sept, 12:30-13:30: Return of the Redworm - Rethinking Large Strongyle Control in the Age of Resistance & The Westgate Labs large redworm larval culturing test, with Claire Shand. All the details you need are below 👇👇👇

Westgate Labs

08/09/2025

The second of our autumn CPD Academy LIVE webinars takes place this Thursday 11 Sept, 12:30-13:30: Return of the Redworm - Rethinking Large Strongyle Control in the Age of Resistance and The Westgate Labs large redworm larval culturing test, with Claire Shand. All the details you need to join can be found here https://www.amtra.org.uk/AcademyDates - add the session to your diary.

About our speaker:
Claire Shand is a Director and SQP at Westgate Labs, an award-winning veterinary laboratory specialising in parasite control for horses, poultry and farm animals. The company has led the way in supporting owners and keepers to move to targeted programmes based on worm egg counts and tests since 1999. Claire understands the practical considerations of implementing this approach and is passionate about driving behaviour change to address resistance and make a lasting difference to animal health.

Westgate Labs

04/09/2025

Don't forget to set a reminder in your calendar for the first CPD Academy Webinar of the Autumn series which starts TODAY: Thursday 4 September 1pm-2pm: 'Nutrition and husbandry for optimal performance at critical points in sheep rearing (tupping, gestation, lambing, weaning)', delivered by David Charles. All the details you need to take part can be found via this link (plus the full Autumn schedule of webinars): https://www.amtra.org.uk/AcademyDates

02/09/2025

The first of our Autumn AMTRA CPD Academy webinars takes place this Thursday 4 September: 'Nutrition and husbandry for optimal performance at critical points in sheep rearing (tupping, gestation, lambing, weaning)', delivered by David Charles. All the details you need to take part can be found via this link (plus the full Autumn schedule of webinars): https://www.amtra.org.uk/AcademyDates

David will look at the shepherds calendar and walk through critical points in this to optimise sheep performance and the role of the SQP in supporting farmers and shepherds with advice.

About our speaker: Dr David Charles CertHE(Biol.) BVSc CertAVP(Sheep) PGCertVPS MRCVS
David is an experienced farm-animal vet working with all production-animal species, and an RCVS Recognised Advanced Practitioner in Sheep Health and Production, one of just nine vets to hold such status. David now splits his time between NoBACZ Healthcare (as their international business development manager) and independent veterinary consultancy (with clients including farms, animal health companies, and educational institutions). He is a trustee of RCVS Knowledge, a ROSA advisor, is on the committee of the Sheep Veterinary Society and sits on the editorial board of UK-Vet Livestock journal. He was a member of the inaugural LVS30Under30. Most recently, he was named the BVA Young Vet of the Year (2024).

30/07/2025

At our recent summer event held at Harper Adams University, it was a pleasure to celebrate the work of our Animal Medicines Advisors by presenting our annual awards to the best students from the last 12 months. We also launched our brand new Chairman’s Award which was presented to Pam Mosedale (see picture) and honoured the first cohort of students to complete The Diploma in Animal Medicines Advice. Find out more about all the winners here: https://www.amtra.org.uk/NewsGrp/Details?id=170

30/07/2025

The Responsible use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal & Equine (RUMA CA&E) has launched a new survey designed to gather insights from and about the vaccines shortages that have been a growing source of concern for the CA&E sectors in recent years. Your feedback matters and will help inform the development of plans and strategies to safeguard vaccine supplies in the future. Survey closes 1st September 2025.

Share your views here: https://lnkd.in/eBgywMnf

30/07/2025

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate monthly medicines update is now available which provides a summary of new marketing authorisations and changes to existing authorisations that relate to the safe use of the product. Learn more here:

For vets, vet nurses, practice staff, suitable qualified persons (SQPs), wholesalers, retailers and dispensers of veterinary medicines. Access information on medicines, safety, enforcement, and immerging issues.

27/06/2025

It’s so disappointing to see in the news this week the stories about fake flea treatments being sold online which can poison pets.
Like the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and Intellectual Property Office UK we are encouraging pet owners to be cautious of third-party sellers when shopping online for any pet medication and only buy from reputable sources. Ideally, source from your local vet practice or animal medicines retailer where you will also receive advice and guidance on how to use genuine products effectively.

Alan Wall, from Preston, said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to see his cat Smokey suffer after being treated with counterfeit medicine.

24/06/2025

REMINDER: The current AMTRA CPD period runs through till 30 June 2025.

The large majority are complete and many Animal Medicines Advisors have extended their knowledge well beyond the minimum points requirement which is great to see.

For those who haven’t yet completed their CPD, there’s still time and lots of great options on the AMTRA CPD Academy which can be found here: https://www.amtra.org.uk/CPDmodule

Note: unless advised otherwise by AMTRA, , e.g. Sarah39876. It is not your email address or your full AMTRA Number (e.g. QC39876).

17/06/2025

Our summer event last week which was held Harper Adams University was a huge success. We unveiled the results of our biggest ever industry report and heard from a range of industry representatives about the evolving role of SQPs and the importance of industry collaboration. We shared an update on the work of AMTRA and our commitment to continued evolution to adapt to the changing needs of the industry to ensure we deliver the highest standards in qualification, training, and CPD. We also presented our AMTRA Awards, honoured the first cohort of students to complete the Animal Medicines Diploma, and gave out the first ever Chairman's Award - more on all of the award recipients will be shared in the coming weeks!

We'd like to thank all our speakers and everyone that attended for making the day so successful.

If you haven't read the industry survey yet take a look here https://bit.ly/4e0wBAs and read our press release here https://bit.ly/4n0yKAc

Veterinary Medicines Directorate

16/06/2025

This Wednesday (18 June) between 12:00-13:00 join us for our next LIVE CPD Academy webinar: Managing Sheep Lameness – The SQP Role, which will be delivered by Fiona Lovatt and Phillipa Page https://www.amtra.org.uk/CPDmodule

About our speakers:

Phillipa Page BVSc BSc MRCVS
Phillipa Page is a sheep veterinary consultant at Flock Health Ltd and the sheep lead vet for NADIS. She is a resident of the European College of Small Ruminants Health Management and Junior Vice President of the Sheep Veterinary Society. She works with sheep farmers and vets to actively promote engagement to improve flock health and performance. Phillipa's areas of special interest include dealing with lameness on farm and investigating and reducing thin ewes in a flock.

Fiona Lovatt BVSc PhD DSHP FHEA DipECSRHM FRCVS
Fiona Lovatt runs the sheep veterinary consultancy business, Flock Health Ltd which hosts the bit.ly/healthyfeethappysheep resource hub. Fiona chairs the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group, is a European Recognised Specialist in Sheep Health and Production and a clinical associate professor at the University of Nottingham. She is particularly passionate about enthusing farm vets and advisors to actively engage with sheep farmers through principles that embrace best practice preventative measures to ensure healthy productive flocks.

12/06/2025

We have today unveiled the results of our biggest ever industry survey, carried out earlier this year to help gather evidence and insights about the role and impact of SQPs - Animal Medicines Advisors. Feedback was sought from SQPs, animal owners, retailers and veterinary teams and over 900 responses were received. The report is available to download on the AMTRA website here: https://bit.ly/4e0wBAs and to read the press announcement click here: https://bit.ly/4n0yKAc

The overarching results from the survey are very positive and highlight that the SQP – Animal Medicines Advisor role, continues to be highly valued and is recognised as having a positive impact on animal health and welfare across a broad spectrum of stakeholders. AMTRA CEO, Stephen Dawson, says: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone that took the time to share their views by filling in the survey. We know how important it is to regularly seek feedback directly from SQPs and others in the industry, so that we can continue to provide the right support and ensure SQPs are recognised and understood for their contribution to animal health.”

AMTRA will be using insights from the report to shape future industry activities, support and campaigns.