Caitrina Oakes, managing director of Vetoquinol UK and Ireland has been re-elected as the chair of NOAH for 2022/23.

Also re-elected was senior vice-chair Jan Moehlenbrock (MSD Animal Health) and Mark Collinson (Norbrook) as treasurer, with new vice-chair Ned Flaxman (KRKA) completing the NOAH officer team.

To continue to support its members through changing times, the NOAH Board has also reviewed and repositioned the NOAH strategy for 2022-25.

Speaking at the AGM, Ms Oakes reviewed the work NOAH had done over the past year to support member companies in particularly challenging times. 

She said: “During the past year the association has faced a number of external challenges, in particular the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the continuing challenge from the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing environmental questions and more recently global trade disruptions due to the Ukraine war. 

“Further delays to the new UK Veterinary Medicines Regulations have caused continued uncertainty for members. Against these challenges NOAH has continued to be sustainable, consistent and representative.”

Ms Oakes continued: “There have been many successes, including the launch of the Livestock Vaccination Guideline with the support of Defra Minister, Lord Benyon, whilst farmer training on the responsible use of antibiotics has continued with the delivery of the AMBP. 

“Over 1,000 farmers have now signed up by mid-2022. The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability has led to the development of a new NOAH policy via the Environmental & Sustainability subcommittee and closer working with other interested stakeholder organisations.”

With its refreshed strategy, NOAH said it will be promoting the benefits of licensed medicines and solutions for the health of all animals – emphasising their value to society not only for the animals on farms and in our homes, but also for ourselves and for the environment we share.