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VN profession strides ahead
Fiona Andrew
For the first time, the VN Council met at BVNA Congress, providing an opportunity for helpful discussions on the future of veterinary nursng.
Outgoing BVNA president reflects on advances in 2015
 
"I can say with confidence that it's been an absolutely amazing year," said outgoing BVNA president Fiona Andrew, as she made her last speech as president.

2015 has been a year of great change in the veterinary nursing profession, with the introduction of the Royal Charter and the first official attempts to protect the VN title.

As of this year, Fiona says the BVNA no longer has to ask to speak at other veterinary organisations - the association is now automatically invited and is "leading the discussion on how we can both protect the title and raise our status as a profession".

In another historic step, the VN Council met outside London for the first time this week, choosing to host its meeting in Telford ahead of the BVNA Congress.

This offered an opportunity for BVNA to get involved in Vet Futures - an RCVS/BVA initiative which looks at where the veterinary profession will be in 2030.

Over the past 12 months, Fiona said the BVA has acknowledged that veterinary nurses have not been particularly well represented in this initiative so far. But this week, a "helpful" session was held on 'vet nurse futures'.

"These discussions are signs of a growing relationship and the kind of foundation on which both professions can flourish," Fiona added.

On that note, a busier-than-ever BVNA congress draws to a close this afternoon, following three days of varied and topical lectures, social activities and networking opportunities.

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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.