Reflections from our summer event

Stephen Dawson, 21 July 2025

Last month (June 2025) we held our Summer Event at Harper Adams University.

The event saw marketing authorisation holders, managers, employers, trainers and other key industry stakeholders gather to celebrate recent AMTRA developments and share our future plans. We heard from industry speakers on key topics relevant to the profession (more on these later) and we revealed the results of our industry survey which has helped us gather important insights from a range of industry stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges for the profession. We also launched our new AMTRA awards at the event as well as presenting certificates to the first cohort of students to complete the Animal Medicines Diploma. It was certainly a packed agenda and a very successful day.

We started the event by sharing the results from our 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. Over 900 responses were received and the report is available on to view here: amtra.org.uk/survey  

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. Awareness of the SQP role is better across some stakeholder groups than others, and there is a clear need for better understanding to maximise the impact SQPs can provide to those seeking their expertise. Equally, awareness around the level of training, qualification and CPD that SQPs undertake, and that they are part of a highly regulated profession, could be better.

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.

The survey has helped shaped some important next steps for AMTRA which can be found discussed in the report.

One of these is looking at how we can help raise the profile of the impact and the value of the SQP/Animal Medicines Advisor role across a range of audiences. It is with that in mind that AMTRA intends to spearhead the launch of a National Animal Medicines Advisor week during 2026 and we will be reaching out across the industry to actively seek input and support in due course

At our event we also welcomed a number of industry speakers including Lee Grist, Head of Inspections and Enforcement Division at the VMD, who talked about ‘The evolving role of the SQP’ covering why the role exists and the regulatory framework around it which reinforces the credibility and professionalism that comes with holding the title of SQP. We then heard from James Russell, Director Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) on ‘How the veterinary profession can work together with SQPs’. James talked about the need for recognising that every role in the animal health sector can play a part in the One Health agenda across vet teams which should take into account SQPs and other allied professionals as every role brings key skills to the table. He talked about the importance of working towards a universal regulation, and that SQPs can be, and should be, part of that approach.

We heard from George Aspey, Lecturer in Veterinary Nursing at Harper Adams and AMTRA Lead, who shared an update on our exam changes and robustness, the ongoing commitment to high standards (excellence), expanding horizons, the Animal Medicines Diploma and the online training now available.

A key highlight of the event was our awards presentations. It's always such a delight to be able to honour the great efforts of the students from the last 12 months and all of us here at AMTRA never fail to be impressed by the hard work that we know is undertaken. Every student should be incredibly proud. This year, we also introduced our first Chairman’s Award, which recognises the significant contribution of individuals to the industry which was presented to Pam Mosedale, and we honoured the first cohort of students to complete the Animal Medicines Diploma, so it has been a very exciting year of recognising amazing achievements.

This was certainly a great event and we have lots of activity we want to do off the back of it to continue to support the profession. Some people have already asked me whether there will be another AMTRA event next year and I can happily say that we’re working up some plans as we speak, so watch this space!