In November 2018, Red Tractor introduced a risk-based approach to inspections in the pig sector. This will come into effect in dairy and poultry in April 2019, with the other sectors following in Autumn 2019.  The strengthening of the inspection programme is to ensure that the reputation of the majority of members who are conforming to the standards is maintained and part of a wider strategy to increase consumer confidence in food carrying the logo.  Red Tractor are confident that this is an effective and fair method to encourage and improve 365-day compliance with the standards. Vets can help to raise awareness of these changes with their Red Tractor clients.
More information on the risk based inspections can be found here.
WEBINAR: Red Tractor are running a webinar on Monday 21st January at 7.30pm to talk through the risk based approach to inspections. You can register for this here and again, can help by sharing this with any of your clients who are part of the Red Tractor scheme.

In November 2018, Red Tractor introduced a risk-based approach to inspections in the pig sector. This will come into effect in dairy and poultry in April 2019, with the other sectors following in Autumn 2019.  The strengthening of the inspection programme is to ensure that the reputation of the majority of members who are conforming to the standards is maintained and part of a wider strategy to increase consumer confidence in food carrying the logo.  Red Tractor are confident that this is an effective and fair method to encourage and improve 365-day compliance with the standards. Vets can help to raise awareness of these changes with their Red Tractor clients.
More information on the risk based inspections can be found here.
WEBINAR: Red Tractor are running a webinar on Monday 21st January at 7.30pm to talk through the risk based approach to inspections. You can register for this here and again, can help by sharing this with any of your clients who are part of the Red Tractor scheme.

8 in 10 vets are concerned about the irresponsible representation of #PetsInAds.  Vets are encouraging animal lovers and members of #teamvet to alert brands who’re using inappropriate images of #PetsInAds.  You can find lots more information about the campaign and a template letter for writing to companies here.
@BritishVets has launched these good practice guidelines www.bva.co.uk/advertising-  to help companies avoid a #PromoNoNo and promote positive animal health and welfare in their adverts.

A DAERA Briefing Note specifically for Authorised Veterinary Inspectors (AVIs) can be found here.
It provides further information on EU-Exit related changes in relation to Pet Travel in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. Information is being provided to enable pet owners to make an informed decision about whether to take action to ensure their pet can travel to the EU in any EU-Exit scenario.

VSSCo Award – Educational Bursary for N.I. Veterinary Practitioners to further expertise in any field of clinical veterinary science – £2000 Annual Award.

If you would like to find out more about the award click here!
If you would like to download a Word version of the application form click here!

DAERA are preparing to implement changes to the administration of the EU Pet Passport Scheme with effect from Monday 7 January 2019.  To assist with the preparations for this change, eligible Veterinary Practices in Northern Ireland, i.e. those with an Authorised Veterinary Inspector (AVI) approved for certification of Pets are now being invited to apply to DAERA to register their intention to continue to supply Pet Passports.  Your practice should receive a letter this week outlining the process and what you have to do to ensure that your practice is involved. The deadline for responses is 16 November 2018. If no response is received by this date, it will be assumed that your practice does not wish to participate in this scheme.

If you believe you are eligible and don’t receive or can’t find your letter, drop [email protected] a line as soon as possible.

What a fantastic AVSPNI Autumn Conference guest SPVS President, Peter Brown, is proving to be!  He’s raising funds for our very own Vet Support Northern Ireland by climbing Slieve Donard (and a host of other peaks too).   Peter says “You may have heard that during the summer I have been climbing peaks in Great Britain, from Brown Willy in Cornwall to Ben Nevis in Scotland, to raise money for Vetlife, and I am looking forward to concluding my President’s Peaks by climbing Slieve Donard on Friday 12th October.  On this occasion I’d like to raise money for Vet Support NI.  It is so encouraging to see this recent initiative, supporting the wellbeing of the profession in Northern Ireland, and I’m sure you’d like to join me in supporting such a worthwhile cause.”

Peter is being accompanied by AVSPNI president Phil Walsh and a handful of other intrepid NI vets.  You can sponsor them via the Just Giving crowdfunding page set up for this purpose.

What a fantastic AVSPNI Autumn Conference guest SPVS President, Peter Brown, is proving to be!  He’s raising funds for our very own Vet Support Northern Ireland by climbing Slieve Donard (and a host of other peaks too).   Peter says “You may have heard that during the summer I have been climbing peaks in Great Britain, from Brown Willy in Cornwall to Ben Nevis in Scotland, to raise money for Vetlife, and I am looking forward to concluding my President’s Peaks by climbing Slieve Donard on Friday 12th October.  On this occasion I’d like to raise money for Vet Support NI.  It is so encouraging to see this recent initiative, supporting the wellbeing of the profession in Northern Ireland, and I’m sure you’d like to join me in supporting such a worthwhile cause.”

Peter is being accompanied by AVSPNI president Phil Walsh and a handful of other intrepid NI vets.  You can sponsor them via the Just Giving crowdfunding page set up for this purpose.

NI vets – please encourage all your horse clients to complete a survey of the equine sector which can be found here:
https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/…/north…/consult_view/
Anyone (including yourselves) involved with horses or donkeys, either directly or indirectly, should complete the survey.
Respondents are ask to self-identify themselves as fitting one of the following categories:
·         Recreational Rider
·         Competitor
·         Owner
·         Breeder
·         Thoroughbred Trainer (including point to point)
·         Someone who works directly with horses(e.g. groom/instructor)
·         Someone who works in the ancillary sector (e.g. sales rep/vet/marketing/therapist)
·         Volunteer (e.g. in organising events)
You then work through a short series of questions particular to your category.
The survey is completely anonymous and vital to any plans for growth and development within the sector.

The poster shown here is available from DAERA for you to print and display in your surgery, or contact VetNI and we’ll e-mail you the PDF.

NI vets – please encourage all your horse clients to complete a survey of the equine sector which can be found here:
https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/…/north…/consult_view/
Anyone (including yourselves) involved with horses or donkeys, either directly or indirectly, should complete the survey.
Respondents are ask to self-identify themselves as fitting one of the following categories:
·         Recreational Rider
·         Competitor
·         Owner
·         Breeder
·         Thoroughbred Trainer (including point to point)
·         Someone who works directly with horses(e.g. groom/instructor)
·         Someone who works in the ancillary sector (e.g. sales rep/vet/marketing/therapist)
·         Volunteer (e.g. in organising events)
You then work through a short series of questions particular to your category.
The survey is completely anonymous and vital to any plans for growth and development within the sector.

The poster shown here is available from DAERA for you to print and display in your surgery, or contact VetNI and we’ll e-mail you the PDF.