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BVA Northern Ireland elect new president
BVA NI president
Simon was elected president after serving a year as a junior vice president.
President to be principle representative in relation to veterinary matters

Simon Doherty has been elected as the new president of the British Veterinary Association's (BVA) Northern Ireland branch.

During his term as president, Simon will be the principal representative of BVA's Northern Ireland branch in relation to veterinary matters.

Simon is a veterinary surgeon with a keen interest in global livestock health, welfare and preventative medicine;  in particular the design of new and improved vaccines for farm animals and aquaculture.   He is a Trustee and Ambassador for the livestock development charity, Send a Cow, and provides strategic technical and veterinary support to a number of their initiatives.

Simon was elected president after serving a year as a junior vice president.

In a statement, he said: “I am truly honoured to be elected as president of the BVA Northern Ireland Branch. I look forward to a full and challenging year ahead, working with the BVA Branch team in Northern Ireland as well as my veterinary colleagues throughout Northern Ireland to promote and support this wonderful profession.

"I will also work to champion the highest animal welfare standards for both companion and production animals. I want to engage all BVA members and potential members in Northern Ireland to ensure we continue to work with government, politicians and policy-makers to keep the issues that matter to vets on the agenda in Northern Ireland.”

Congratulating Simon on his election, BVA president John Blackwell said:
 
“BVA’s Branches are invaluable in safeguarding animal welfare and representing veterinary surgeons in the devolved nations, where animal health and welfare are the responsibility of the individual nation. The work of the Northern Ireland Branch and Simon and his colleagues brings invaluable expertise to discussions about relevant animal, agricultural and veterinary policy in Northern Ireland as well as playing a hugely important role when it comes to influencing politicians.
 
“I am delighted to welcome Simon as president, having already enjoyed working with him and the fantastic Northern Ireland team last year. I know he will bring both knowledge and passion to his role and be an exemplary advocate for the profession in Northern Ireland on topics as diverse as disease surveillance, pet animal welfare and veterinary medicines.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.