Days numbered for old-style PPE certificate

Together with the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), we would like to remind veterinary surgeons in equine practice that after 31 March 2012 continued use of the old-style pre-purchase examination (PPE) certificates could restrict the ability of the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) to successfully defend a claim related to the purchase of a horse.

New certificates were developed by BEVA and approved by us over summer 2011. The revised certificate and supporting guidance is both less ambiguous and more suited to current practice.

These documents, which were last in revised in 1986, were launched by BEVA at its Congress in September 2011. A period of several months has been allowed for veterinary surgeons to switch to the new format.

The new certificate addresses issues such as establishing any relationship between the veterinary surgeon and seller, disclosure of known clinical records and establishing whether commonly-performed additional parts of the examination have taken place.

“The revised certificates had been in development for many years and have been well received by the majority of equine veterinary surgeons,” reports Malcolm Morley, Chairman of BEVA’s PPE Committee.

The new certificates are available from the VDS and the new Guidance Notes are available from both VDS and BEVA.