All three SQP regulators to support National SQP Week

AMTRA, Vetpol and VetSkill have jointly announced the need for National SQP Week to drive better awareness and understanding of the SQP role.

The first-ever National SQP Week – a nationwide celebration of the vital role SQPs play in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of livestock and pets across the UK, will take place June 5-12, 2026.

AMTRA, Vetpol and VetSkill collectively said they will be raising the profile of SQPs like never before.

Alongside the regulators, all stakeholders across the profession that work or engage with SQPs including retailers, pharmaceutical companies, animal owners, veterinary practice teams and government, plus SQPs themselves, are being encouraged to take part.

To make participation as easy as possible, a campaign toolkit is being created and will be launched soon. This will contain downloadable resources, including posters, FAQs, and activation ideas, which can be accessed by anyone wishing to take part.

The need for the campaign was highlighted in AMTRA’s industry survey, which revealed there’s still work to do to raise awareness of SQP expertise among animal owners, and even across parts of the veterinary and wider animal medicines/animal welfare profession.

AMTRA chief executive, Stephen Dawson said: “SQPs are highly qualified professionals, yet many people who interact with them don’t fully understand their expertise – or the benefits they can bring.

“This campaign is here to change that. SQPs provide essential advice to millions of pet owners every year. By boosting the SQP profile, we can ensure the knowledge and expertise an SQP provides is fully utilised for better animal health nationwide.”

Vetpol director, Caroline Johnson, said: “SQPs are qualified professionals and a source of trusted advice for owners on medicines and the broader context of animal welfare.

“SQPs provide consumers with choice and we are delighted to work with both AMTRA and VetSkill in highlighting the valuable role of SQPs across all sectors.”

VetSkill chief executive, Sam Double, said: “Raising awareness of the SQP role in a collaborative manner through this campaign is fundamental for a One Health approach and to enable animal owner understanding of this key role.

“Championing the role of our SQPs collectively across the sector is essential, as is highlighting the unique position that our dual accredited RVNs, who are also on the SQP register, could hold moving forward as the consultation gains momentum on changes to the Veterinary Surgeons Act.”

Ahead of the campaign toolkit being launched, stakeholders are being encouraged to mark their calendars, start spreading the word about the week-long campaign, and start planning activities that help promote and celebrate the role of the SQP.