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BVA Welsh Branch president named Vet of the Year 2022
Collin Willson has been named FSA's Vet of the Year 2022.

Collin Willson recognised for improving and promoting animal welfare standards.

BVA Welsh Branch president Collin Willson has been named the Food Standard’s Agency's (FSA) Vet of the Year 2022.

The award recognises the hard work and dedication of veterinary colleagues within the FSA to ensure that food is safe and that animal welfare standards are upheld. 

Willson, who has been in the profession for 49 years, is the field veterinary lead responsible for the FSA in Wales and England.  

Commenting on the achievement, he said: “I feel incredibly proud to have been nominated by my colleagues and recognised for my role in improving and promoting animal welfare standards.

“I’ve been a part of the veterinary profession for 49 years and a career highlight has been working for the FSA and in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders to get ministerial clearance for the Demonstration of Life work, early in 2021. I’m looking forward to continuing this work and promoting the role of our vets who work tirelessly behind the scenes right across the organisation.” 

Jane Clark, director of veterinary services, said: “I am delighted to announce Collin Willson as our Vet of the Year. Collin is a well-deserved winner and has been a driving force in our organisation, and across government, to improve animal welfare standards for many years.

"He has an extensive and impressive veterinary network, within government and across the wider profession, and colleagues from across the agency commented on how generously he shares his expertise.

"Collin is a real asset to the FSA and the Vet of the Year award is a testament to Collin’s success.”

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.