The AHDA Conference returns to Birmingham on September 19 and 20 after a two-and-a-half-year break, providing an extensive programme of seminars and workshops led by leading figures in the animal health and welfare industry.
The annual two-day event, which usually takes place in mid-January will cover topics related to management of farm, equine and companion animals, and AHDA has announced that Abi Seager, newly appointed chief executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, will be the keynote speaker opening this year’s conference.
Alongside the extensive speaker programme, which includes Dr Alison Pyatt (VMD), Dave Bartley (Moredun Research Institute) and Jonathan Statham (Animal Health and Welfare Board for England), representatives from around 50 leading animal health companies including veterinary medicine manufacturers and suppliers, plus industry groups such as AMTRA, COWS, SCOPS and VMD will be exhibiting their products and services.
The theme for this year’s conference is Working for positive change and the programme on day one will include workshops on the topic of responsible prescribing, including a closer look at the prescribing process, faecal egg counting and animal medicine planning.
Ahda has partnered with three key veterinary medicine manufacturers, as well as SCOPS, to help deliver these workshops, which will be fully interactive for all conference delegates.
Earlier this year, AHDA launched a campaign to enhance the responsible prescribing process of POM-VPS animal medicines products, with a particular focus on anthelmintic resistance. the reason behind the campaign, which has been a key focus for AHDA this year, is to raise awareness of the challenge of anthelmintic resistance faced by the farming industry and to change the attitudes and outlooks of the end users towards all elements of prescription process.
“AHDA’s main purpose is to support SQPs in their role, working with other industry organisations and bodies to support their right to sell and supply the range of prescription animal medicines across all sectors,” said Bryan Lovegrove, AHDA secretary general.
“So in raising awareness of the challenges of anthelmintic resistance, and by focussing on it in detail at our conference, we hope to bring some of these areas of focus to life, encouraging conversation and engagement among those directly involved in the prescribing process in order to help the end users – their customers – better understand the topic.”
Mr Lovegrove continued: “We’re really looking forward to coming back together after a lengthy break. Exhibitor spaces have sold out, which is a clear indicator of the enthusiasm within the sector, and the importance of meeting in-person to share ideas and discuss challenges.”
The evening gala dinner, which takes place after the first day of the conference, provides a platform for the annual AMTRA Awards ceremony, charity prize draw and after-dinner speaker.
Day two of the conference will focus on a wide range of relevant and current topics in animal health and welfare, including companion animal nutrition, lungworm in cattle and backyard poultry. these sessions will be split into ‘farm animal’ and ‘companion animal & equine’, allowing delegates to move between the two topics.
In addition to accessing the most up-to-date research and findings from industry experts, there are around around 60 points available to SQPs over the course of the two days.
Fully paid-up members of AHDA qualify for member rates and general admission tickets are still available – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ahda-conference-2022-tickets-189155718847.
