FOI release

FOI requests received by the VMD between 1 July and 31 December 2015

Published 5 January 2016

Requests for information relating to the work of our Antimicrobial Resistance Team

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 365 Request for the total weight of active ingredient of antibiotics sold for veterinary use in 2013, with the salt included as part of the active ingredient. Also for the corresponding figure for antibiotics sold for use in food animals only, for antibiotics sold for companion animals only and for antibiotics sold for use in food or companion animals
ATI 373 Request for the data on the sales of antiprotozoals for 2014, and for earlier years
ATI 375 Request for statistics, in kilos of active ingredient, on the sales for veterinary medicine of colistin in farm animals
ATI 378 Request for statistics, in kilos of active ingredient, on the sales for veterinary medicine of colistin in farm animals
ATI 379 Request for the number of meetings and conference calls held between the VMD and the British Poultry Council (BPC) during 2015, and figures for previous years (where available) 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; and the number of agenda items during these meetings / calls relating to the BPC Chicken Antibiotic Stewardship scheme or related matters – with details/copies of discussions, minutes, agendas, attendee lists, correspondence relating to these
ATI 380 Request for the total amount of ‘fluoroquinolone’ antibiotics reportedly used by British Poultry Council members in 2012, 2013 and 2014 2, The total amount of ‘macrolide’ antibiotics reportedly used by British Poultry Council members in 2012, 2013 and 2014 3, The total amount of ‘third and fourth generation cephalosporin’ antibiotics reportedly used by British Poultry Council members in 2012, 2013 and 2014 4, The total amount of other antibiotic classes used by British Poultry Council members in 2012, 2013 and 2014 - as is available. In addition, if available, an indication - based on any information supplied to the VMD by the BPC - as to the volumes of antibiotics used as for: A, treatment following disease diagnosis, B, preventive (prophylactic) use
ATI 381 Request for certain information regarding the RUMA/VMD joint conference on November 3 2015 called ‘Responsible use - ideas into action’.

Requests about our information and communications technology (ICT) arrangements

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 359 Request for information on contract information relating to certain corporate software/applications
ATI 366 Request for information relating to our Local Area Network, Phone System, Storage area Network, Connectivity, Data Centre, Cloud Services and Contacts
ATI 367 Request for information relating to certain information about our current contracts with third party suppliers of ICT services
ATI 374 Request asking who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for ICT/Digital/Business Change Programmes & Strategy – as a small agency we don’t have such a role
ATI 382 Request for information about Veterinary Products Committee current contracts with third party suppliers – as an advisory committee it doesn’t have contracts with third party suppliers
ATI 383 Request for certain information about our Local Area Network (LAN) environment

Requests for Corporate information

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 356 Request for information relating to current recycling and waste support and maintenance contracts
ATI 358 Request for a breakdown of the payments made by both the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) and, by separate email, the Veterinary Products Committee Directorate (VPC) to the Confederation of British Industry and its subsidiaries
ATI 361 Request for information relating to certain information in relation to our HR and payroll
ATI 370 Request for information relating our banking services, audit services and card processing services

Requests for information about certain veterinary medicinal products

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 363 Request for certain information in relation to for Noroclav Lactating Cow Intramammary Suspension (Vm 02000/4199) and Combiclav Lactating Cow Intramammary Suspension (Vm 02000/4240)
ATI 368 Request for certain information about the data that was used to support a claim relating to the therapeutic indications of Milpro 12.5 mg/125 mg Film-coated Tablets for Dogs, Vm 05653/4182 and Milpro 2.5 mg/25 mg Film-coated Tablets for Small Dogs and Puppies, Vm 05653/4181, owned by Virbac S.A.
ATI 371 Request for certain pharmacovigilance information that we hold in relation to these products:

1. Bravecto Chewable Tablets for Dogs (fluralaner) – Intervet International – EU/2/13/158/001-015

2. NexGard Chewable Tablets for Dogs (afoxolaner) – Merial Animal Health Limited – EU/2/13/159/001-012

Requests for information about the random testing of gamebirds (red grouse, specifically)

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 362 Request for certain information about the random testing of gamebirds (red grouse, specifically) and grit boxes on moorlands managed for driven red grouse, undertaken by your agency, to detect illegal residues of medicated grit (containing the wormer Flubendazole)
ATI 364 Request for information about the testing of grit boxes on grouse moors for the detection of ‘medicated grit’ (specifically, anthelmintics)

Requests for information related to the work of our Medicated Feed Team

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 376 Request for information relating to the VMD workshop “The Management of Medicated Feedingstuffs Prescriptions”
ATI 377 Request for information regarding instances of irregularities / errors or poor procedures relating to the supply of medicated feedstuffs to farmers

Requests for information from people or companies about whom we had received complaints, asking for the names of those that had complained or information about the complaint – we treat each request on a case by case basis – in this case we did not release the name of the complainant

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 360 Request asking about complaints lodged against Equus Health and Equus Health products
ATI 369 Request asking whether the complaint we were investigating came from a member of the public or a veterinary professional

Request for certain information for the period 1985 to 1998 regarding ill health following exposure to sheep dip

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 357 Request for information for the period 1985 to 1998 regarding ill health following exposure to sheep dip:

1. details of how many reports were made by farmers from each of Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Kent.

2. copies of each of those reports

and for figures for how many reports of ill health following exposure to sheep dip have been made since 1998 for each of Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Kent

Request for certain information relating to investigations

ATI reference number Subject
ATI 372 Request for information:

1. In each of the last three calendar years (up to and including 2015) how many inquiries has DEFRA made into the attempted importation of controlled veterinary drugs and animal remedies? Please provide figures for each year.

2. How many individuals/companies have been charged with offences relating to these investigations in EACH of these years? Please provide figures for each year. Please also detail what controlled substances were involved in these cases.

3. How many individuals/companies have been successfully prosecuted with offences relating to these investigations in EACH of these years? Please provide figures for each year. Please provide details of prosecutions.