UK and European animal health associations NOAH and AnimalhealthEurope met at London Vet Show today to underline the continuing importance of veterinary medicines for our animals.

AnimalhealthEurope President, Wijnand de Bruijn, and Secretary General, Roxane Feller, met with NOAH Chair, Gaynor Hillier, and Chief Executive, Dawn Howard, to reinforce the relationship between the two associations and to discuss issues of common interest.

High on the agenda was the challenge faced by both UK and EU based member companies from the UK’s EU Exit, at a time when the new EU Veterinary Medicines Regulation is close to becoming a reality. NOAH’s vision for an environment that delivers a thriving animal medicines sector applies both nationally and internationally; it will be critical that products continue to be traded in order to safeguard animal health and welfare, public health and food safety – both here in the UK and across Europe. Business continuity will require a closely aligned regulatory environment and close co-operation between the two associations will be vital in order to make this a reality.

Wijnand de Bruijn welcomed Gaynor Hillier’s commitment that NOAH will remain an active and valued member of AnimalhealthEurope. He said:

“We welcome NOAH reinforcing the commitment to AnimalhealthEurope today and take this opportunity to highlight the importance of co-operation to ensure the future availability of animal medicines across Europe. At this time, more than ever, it is important that we are able to work together and with our respective regulators to achieve legislation which encourages both innovation and trade to meet animal health challenges and ensure vets across Europe have access to all our solutions”

NOAH Chair, Gaynor Hillier said:

“NOAH has been an active member of AnimalhealthEurope for many years, an association which has provided many benefits for our members. Although we are leaving the EU, we are not leaving Europe, and will continue to work with our European colleagues.”

Notes for editors

1. For further information contact Alison Glennon, Communications Manager at NOAH at a.glennon@noah.co.uk or +44 20 8367 3131 or Clare Carlisle, Public Relations Manager at AnimalhealthEurope at c.carlisle@animalhealtheurope.eu or +32 474 388711

2. OAH represents the UK animal medicines industry. Its aim is to promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality medicines for the health and welfare of all animals. For further information, please visit: www.noah.co.uk

3. AnimalhealthEurope is the representative body of manufacturers of veterinary medicines, vaccines and other animal health products in Europe. It represents innovators and generics alike, as well as large, medium-sized and small companies. AnimalhealthEurope promotes a single market in veterinary medicines across the EU ensuring the availability of medicines to protect the health and welfare of animals. For further information, visit: www.animalhealtheurope.eu