RUMA is pleased to announce that NFU Scotland and the Game Farmers’ Association have joined the Alliance.

In welcoming the new members RUMA Secretary General John FitzGerald said RUMA’s strength is the breadth of interest covered by its members and this has been increased by the addition of Scottish farmers and game farmers.

Penny Johnston of NFU Scotland said that joining RUMA reinforced Scottish farmers support for responsibly using medicines in all aspects of animal production in Scotland. In 2013, NFU Scotland will encourage its members to use RUMA Guidelines and will work with farmers and their vets to ensure responsible use of antimicrobials is central to health planning on livestock farms.

GFA Chairman, Jonathan Crow, said the Association is delighted to join RUMA. Defra’s Code of Practice for game farmers embraces the principles of responsible medicine use and the GFA’s members have worked to them for many years.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. RUMA is an alliance of organisations representing every stage of the “farm to fork” process which aims to promote a co-ordinated and integrated approach to best practice in the use of medicines on farm. A full list of RUMA members is at paragraph 4 below. For further information contact RUMA Secretary General John FitzGerald (rumasec@btinternet.com) or see the RUMA website www.ruma.org.uk
2. NFU Scotland is the lead organisation representing farmers, growers and crofters in Scotland with more than 8500 members. It has policy staff dedicated to livestock, animal health and animal welfare issues. It is committed to the responsible use of medicines in livestock production. In July 2012, NFU Scotland co-hosted an international conference on antimicrobial resistance with the Moredun Institute.
3. The Game Farmers’ Association (GFA) is a trade organisation dedicated to the production of quality gamebirds for the UK shooting industry. The Association was founded over 80 years ago and now has in excess of 200 game farming members. Most game farmers in Britain are members of the GFA and the Association represents their interests, as well as encouraging everyone who rears game to follow high standards which include the responsible use of medicines.
4. RUMA’s members are:
   • Agricultural Industries Confederation
   • Animal Health Distributors Association
   • Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority
   • BPEX and EBLEX
   • British Egg Industry Council
   • British Poultry Council
   • British Retail Consortium
   • British Veterinary Association
   • City and Guilds
   • DairyCo
   • Dairy UK
   • Game Farmers’ Association
   • LEAF
   • National Beef Association
   • National Farmers’ Union
   • National Office of Animal Health
   • National Pig Association
   • National Sheep Association
   • NFU Scotland
   • Red Tractor Assurance
   • Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers
   • RSPCA
   • Royal Pharmaceutical Society

   Observers

   • Food Standards Agency
   • Veterinary Medicines Directorate