Review of approach to issuing animal test certificates for veterinary medicines

Overview

Animal test certificates are issued by the VMD to permit the use of a veterinary medicine in a clinical field trial, to allow the procurement and supply of that veterinary medicine and to enable produce from treated animals to enter the food chain.

Clinical field trials have the specific purpose of making observations on the safety or efficacy, or both, of an unauthorised veterinary medicine administered by a veterinary surgeon in the course of treating or preventing a disease in client-owned animals. Trials of this nature require an ATC provided all treatments and clinical observations are made for the benefit of the enrolled animals in accordance with Recognised Veterinary Practice.

The VMD proposes to introduce changes for those intending to work under Recognised Veterinary Practice. 

Following feedback from our stakeholders we have extended the deadline for comments to Friday 24 April 2015.

Why your views matter

The VMD has responded to an issue raised by stakeholders during the Red Tape Challenge 2013 agriculture, livestock, animal health and welfare, plant health, bees and forestry regulations theme.

The VMD aims to reduce burden to industry by permitting a blood sample to be taken at the start of a trial providing it is undertaken for the benefit of the health of the veterinary client-owned animals.

We intend to implement the change in early April.

The Business Engagement Assessment and associated VMD guidance note are attached to this consultation. We invite your views on the proposed changes and amended guidance.

How to respond:

Please submit your views by email to: d.burge@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk

Alternatively if you are unable to respond by email you can respond via post to:
Denise Burge, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, KT15 3LS