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Sheep Vet Society names new president
Rebecca Mearns has been named president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.
Rebecca Mearns succeeds the role from Amanda Carson.

The Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) has named sheep health and production specialist Rebecca Mearns as its new president.

Rebecca succeeds the role from Amanda Carson, who becomes senior vice president, while Nick Hart is retiring from the committee. David Wilson joins the team as the new junior vice president. 

Rebecca has been a member of the Sheep Veterinary Society since her final year of veterinary school and has been running her own small sheep flock for nearly 20 years.

She worked in mixed practise for a while before joining Voluntary Service Overseas in Malawi's southern districts. 

After returning to Cumbria in 2004, Rebecca completed the RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production before working as a Veterinary Investigation Officer for SAC in Edinburgh, and then for APHA at the Penrith site.

Commenting on her appointment, Rebecca said: "I’m delighted to take on this role having been an active member of the Sheep Vet Society for many years. As president, I’m looking forward to representing and championing sheep vets in the year ahead.

"These are interesting times in the sector, with plenty happening including trade deals and the changes to farming subsidies. The delivery of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which will see every sheep farmer engaging with their sheep vet, has the potential to make a great difference to flock health. This is a time of change, and I’m excited to be involved."

Through scientific meetings, workshops, and training sessions, as well as representation on the British Veterinary Association Council and specialist Committees, the SVS promotes sheep health and welfare.

The Society was founded in 1967, and its 500 members come from all sectors of the sheep industry. The majority of members are veterinary surgeons, but a quarter are advisers, researchers, farmers, and shepherds. 

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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. 

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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.