Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd September 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New AHWBE Chair appointed
Pictured: Professor Jonathan Statham.
Professor Jonathan Statham will take over the role from November. 

Defra has appointed its new Chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE).

Professor Jonathan Statham will take over the role on 1 November 2021. He will replace Michael Seals, who has held the role for 10 years. 

Biosecurity Minister Lord Benyon, who appointed Professor Statham as the new Chair, commented:  “We have bold plans to improve animal health and welfare, as outlined in our recently-published Action Plan for Animal Welfare, and I look forward to working closely with Jonathan and the AHWBE to deliver these ambitions.

“I also want to thank Michael Seals for his dedication in leading the organisation over the past decade.”

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Statham said: “I am delighted to have been appointed the next Chair of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.

“As a large animal vet by profession, high animal health and welfare is close to my heart and something I know is very important to industry and wider society.

“It is a crucial point in time for the industry and for us as a board, with lots of key policies coming forward which bring along many challenges. It is an enormous privilege for me to take on this role once Michael Seals steps down. I look forward to working together with him and colleagues on the board.”

Professor Statham has been a non-executive director on the AHWBE since 2017, and is also a chief executive officer at RAFT Solutions, alongside working as a Professor of Sustainable Livestock Health and Welfare at Harper and Keele Veterinary School. 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.