VetNI

Veterinary Northern Ireland

Sunshine and smiles at the NIVA Summer Social!

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A fantastic time was had at the NIVA Summer Social in beautiful Tollymore Forest Park. Thanks must go to Angie Drayne, supported by Janette Adams , for the nature walk – so much fascinating information was shared. Mandy and Gavin made everyone welcome at their gorgeous wee country pub, Dolly’s Brae Inn, and great BBQ food (oh, those salads!) was supplied by Alex Berry and served by Brian Berry of Simply Irresistible. The quiz was lively and competitive with great questions from quizmaster Stewart Holden that gradually sorted the front runners from the wooden-tops – thank you Stewart! Congratulations to the winning team “The Folks on the Hill” from Rathfriland vet clinic. Special commendation goes to Phil and Pauline Walsh who came second despite being the smallest team!! Lovely etched wooden spoons went to the team with the lowest score but we are too diplomatic to mention who took these home.
We are still counting the money made for Marie Curie in memory of Sam Nelson – thank you to all those who supported this event, either through draw ticket purchases or by turning up on the day. The big prize (a week in a choice of two luxury Donegal holiday cottages, Whispering Willows) was won by Annette Doyle with Gemma Daly winning the weekend in the beautiful Tollymore Gate Lodge. Thanks also to NIVA Council for their help on the day and to those who gave prizes for the draw and raffle – Fiona McFarland, The Vet Service, the Drayne family, Joanne at Virbac, Gavin and Mandy at Dolly’s Brae, Tim at Shanaghan Photography, Seamus O’Kane, the McFarland family, Sean from Botanica, CVS, Pollyanna’s Gift Shop, Julie from Idexx and Chris from Boehringer Ingelheim. Our sponsors also deserve recognition – Lintbells, Botanica, Lloyd & Cowan, IMV Imaging, McEvoy Hoofcare Ltd., IVC – thank you all!

DAERA Trade Transition Team

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DAERA has recently published guidance on the internet in respect of exporting where the UK leaves the EU without a deal.  The link can be found here:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/guidance-exporters-products-animal-origin-poao-event-uk-exits-eu-no-deal-scenario

To ensure you get the correct support with your queries on DECOL, updated contact details are included below:

Please ensure you advise your customers that if they intend to export the product they are purchasing, they must make an application via DECOL for the necessary export paperwork.  Links are included below:

Main page: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/landing-pages/exporting-animals-and-animal-products-northern-ireland

Meat and meat product page : https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/services/meat-and-meat-product-exports

Red Tractor Pig Standards updated

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With effect from 1 April 2019 pig scheme members must ensure that staff deemed competent by the vet to administer medicines and veterinary treatments have read the Practical Guide to Responsible Use of Antibiotics on Farm, which is available to download from the AHDB website here.  These guidelines offer advice on using antibiotics whenever the pig farm’s veterinary surgeon recommends them to be appropriate.  Contingency planning guidance issued by Red Tractor in the summer last year is also worth highlighting in these uncertain times. All information on the Red Tractor scheme can be found on the Red Tractor website.

Annual training for NI TB testers

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REMINDER for Testing Vets! If you have registered with CAFRE for your compulsory annual online training, you should also have received your Username and Password from the TB Contract Team allowing you to access the course.
If you believe you are registered as a student with CAFRE but you have not received a Moodle Username and Password you should, through your Senior Approved Veterinary Surgeon (SAVS), email the TB Contract Manager ([email protected]) and the TB Contract Team will try to sort it out.

If you registered with CAFRE too late i.e. after 01 February you will not be getting a Moodle Username and Password at this time. 
Those who registered with CAFRE late and those who have not registered with CAFRE yet will have another opportunity to do the online training as the course will reopen on 01 April (but will close again on 10 April).  Those who have already registered but did so late will not have to reregister.
Further information about the reopening of the course will issue to SAVSs shortly.

All vets who want to retain their approval to TB test after 11 April must have completed the training.


Veterinary Medicines regulation in the event of a No Deal – VMD information on Gov.UK

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Throughout the government’s negotiations to leave the EU on 29 March the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has developed plans for all possible outcomes including no deal.
VMD has therefore published on GOV.UK  its EU Exit Information Hub www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-information  which sets out what  vets and other stakeholders will need to do differently if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. It also sets out the areas of veterinary medicines regulation where there will be no change.
For vets the areas you will need to do things differently in the event of a no deal are:
–              Applying for a Special Import Certificate/Special Treatment Certificate
–              Operating the prescribing cascade
Please visit the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s EU Exit Information Hub www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-information  for detailed advice and guidance  on the above areas and all areas of veterinary medicines regulation that will and won’t be  changing in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal. 
The VMD will continue to assure the safety, quality and effectiveness of all veterinary medicines authorised in the UK  to protect animal health, human health and the environment.

Be aware! Export of horses and ponies post-BREXIT

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Vets! Please check and familiarise yourselves with the government guidance on equine movements post-Brexit as you will be the source of advice for your clients. As well as travel to mainland Europe, the rules also apply to NI – R of I cross-border movements.

A Q&A sheet is included from DAERA here but please also refer to the Gov.UK site link above for the latest updates.

Red Tractor – Stepping up compliance

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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.

Red Tractor – Stepping up compliance

By

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.

Seen any dogs jumping on trampolines or pugs on Christmas sweaters?

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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.

DAERA and Pet Travel in the event of a no-deal EU-Exit

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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.