NOAH’s review of the year – a new strategy for changing times
27th December 2018
2018 has again been an exceptionally busy year for NOAH, with the association developing a new strategy to take it forward from 2018 to 2023.
NOAH Chief Executive Dawn Howard commented: “This year has been framed by our new strategy which was adopted in July to ensure a thriving animal health sector now and in the future. Our vision and values have been refined and a new purpose set.
“This year work on EU Exit has remained high on our agenda, representing our industry to support business continuity and opportunity through and post Brexit. Our Barometer series, analysing the sentiment of our sector at points to examine trends has continued with 2 new reports. The most recent, based on opinions from our 30 October Conference, showed more optimism, though the current climate gives rise to more uncertainty which our industry, like others, can do without.
“Nevertheless, companies have worked tirelessly to prepare for exit, including making detailed preparations for a no deal scenario to help ensure continuity of supply.
“Going forward, we will continue to champion a regulatory environment to promote UK animal health and welfare, both nationally and internationally. We have continued to contribute to the consultation on the draft EU Veterinary Medicines and Medicated Feed Regulations which have now been adopted in the EU. While it is not clear what relevance these will now have in the UK, we believe the VMD are planning to introduce changes to our UK regulations to help encourage innovation in the UK.”
She went on to say: “2018 has marked the launch of our Animal Medicines Best Practice (AMBP) programme, with farmer training in best practice in antibiotic use being launched at an event in the House of Lords in July, and a vet resource, to use with clients, launched in October. This programme has been led by NOAH in partnership with stakeholders from across the industry including vets, farmers, the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and leading academics.
“This, along with our successful Blueprint for animal health campaign, will continue into 2019, and helps ensure appropriate access to and responsible use of medicines for all animals.”
She added: “Our #IndustryinFocus photography campaign, which has involved over 30 organisations, to date, has been very popular on our website and on social media, illustrating what animal health looks like to a wide range of people. People love sharing photographs, and we’ve been pleased to have featured some of the pet owners that have shared their healthy happy pet pictures on our monthly blogs. We have been able to engage widely as the voice of the industry to discuss topics of interest to our members throughout the year and support some excellent awareness campaigns.
“But this year has not just been about our external communications,” Dawn Howard said. “We are here to deliver relevant services to our current and broadening membership in the face of a changing landscape. We have ensured our organisation is GDPR compliant and are undertaking a major CRM project so we can communicate better in the future. The NOAH Compendium of Data Sheets continues to be produced, with the information also available on an app, and, at its most up-to-date, on our Compendium website.
“This year has offered many opportunities and challenges,” says Dawn. “We are here to serve our members and will be continuing to improve what we offer them. Looking forward, NOAH will continue to be the leading voice for the animal health sector as we move beyond the 29 March 2019 milestone – making sure our members views are heard by policymakers and with others in our sector. There will be opportunities and it is vital that the whole industry remains united in supporting high standards of animal welfare for both farm livestock and companion animals, with health an integral part of that,” she concludes.
Notes for Editors
For further information please contact Alison Glennon or Dawn Howard at NOAH 020 8367 3131 or email a.glennon@noah.co.uk.
NOAH represents the UK animal health industry. It promotes the benefits of safe, effective, quality products and services for the health and welfare of all animals. For further information, please visit: www.noah.co.uk