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BVA announces new board chairman
The BVA has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Philip Lowndes looks forward to addressing the challenges ahead

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Bristol University graduate Philip spent seven years in mixed practice before pursuing a career in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.  

Since then he has held national and international commercial roles including CEO of UK business and leading global marketing of a major international and animal health pharmaceuticals business

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Lowndes said: “I am honoured to be elected as the next Chairman of the BVA and look forward to chairing the Board as it addresses the challenges ahead.

“The veterinary profession needs and deserves vibrant representation and it is the Board’s role to ensure that the organisation has the ability and the resources to achieve this to the benefit of our membership.

The BVA board oversees the performance of the association and is responsible for corporate and financial governance and for setting the BVA’s strategic direction. It consists of nine members including the three officers of the BVA, four directors appointed by BVA Council and up to two non-veterinary directors appointed by the board.

Philip was previously chairman of the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and currently sits as chairman of the both the Novartis UK Pension Trustee Board and its Investment Committee.

In 2013, he joined the BVA’s board and was re-elected by the BVA for a second term in 2016. He will be taking over from Derek Williams, who stepped down in March after seven years.

“We are delighted to announce Philip Lowndes as the new Chairman of the BVA Board,” commented BVA president Gudrun Ravetz.

“His experience and expertise in business, knowledge of the veterinary profession and involvement with BVA will be of great value as we continue to grow our membership and expand our services and support for vets, especially during the uncertainty caused by Brexit.”

Image (C) BVA

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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.