Animals Business Development Office at Harper Adams

Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority

This office was set up in January 2006 to undertake work as a result of the development in the partnership between Harper Adams and the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority (AMTRA), an independent regulatory body which ensures the marketing and distribution of animal medicines in the UK is undertaken in a responsible manner.

Harper Adams University College has worked with AMTRA in various roles for approximately twenty years but our capacity as an independent Higher Education institution has been crucial in fulfilling the criteria set out in the DEFRA Code of Practice as issued by the Secretary of State under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2005 (and subsequent revisions). These regulations set down the standards that must be complied with by AMTRA and by SQPs who are registered with AMTRA having passed the required examinations. These individuals can supply the veterinary medicinal products classified as POM-VPS and NFA-VPS within the limits of their qualification from registered retail business premises. The AMTRA suite of modules was developed to provide a means of accrediting learning undertaken as part of a professional requirement. A potential SQP must register with AMTRA as the body holding the professional register but Harper Adams awards the necessary academic credits, whether the assessment takes place here or at another centre.

What do we do?

In summary, our work focuses on the assessment processes involved in the qualification of Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) and Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) Representatives. In order to do this within the normal Higher Education institution structure, it is essential to maintain regular liaison with other departments e.g. registry, examinations and finance. There is also the process of setting up and maintaining assessment venues, of which there are now ~20, which in the main are other HE or FE institutions. The national assessment schedule is coordinated centrally from this office and each one conducted by a member of Harper Adams staff. Examination scripts are written, marked, recorded and archived on site. The most recent development to the tasks undertaken by staff is the provision of supportive online learning materials, which complement the existing SQP and MAH Training Manuals.

Since the project was launched, there have been over 1200 Conversions completed by existing SQPs, who have until 1st October this year to do so. In addition to this, nearly 1300 individuals have become one of seven categories of newly qualified SQPs.

Short Course

• An Introduction to Farm Animal Management and Production Leaflet

Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition

Note: Closing date for 2010 applications is mid April.

• Diploma in Ruminant Nutrition Leaflet
• Technical Information

Project staff

There are currently 3.5 full time and 4 part time staff directly employed as a result of the contract with AMTRA. In addition to this, numerous academic and technician staff within the Animals Group contribute to short courses held on site as well as published material produced in conjunction with AMTRA.

The Project Office is located on the second floor of the Main Building on the main Harper campus.

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