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Suitable qualified officers - Updated Defra Procedural Guidance Published Date: 08/02/2021

The guidance under section "Suitably qualified inspectors" has been updated to read:

All inspectors must be suitably qualified. This is defined as:

1. Any person holding a Level 3 certificate or equivalent granted by a body, recognised and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation which oversees the training and assessment of persons in inspecting and licensing animal activities businesses, confirming the passing of an independent examination. A person is only considered to be qualified to inspect a particular type of activity if their certificate applies to that activity. Or;

2. Any person holding a formal veterinary qualification, as recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (“RCVS”), together with a relevant RCVS continuing professional development record;

3. Until October 2021, any person that can show evidence of at least one year of experience in licensing and inspecting animal activities businesses.

4. From 1 October 2021, any person that can show evidence of at least one year of experience in licencing and inspecting animal activities businesses and, by 1 October 2021, is enrolled on a course leading to a Level 3 certificate qualification referenced in paragraph 16(a) above with the course having to be completed by 1 October 2022.