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Positions filled for new SRUC Vet School
Vivienne Mackinnon (C) Scotland's Rural College.
Posts to play vital role in Scottish veterinary education development.

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has appointed Vivienne Mackinnon as director of Veterinary Partnerships, with nine other key posts filled in preparation for the development of a new school veterinary medicine.

A veterinary surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience, Vivienne is an active member of BVA Scotland and has worked in a number of public and private settings.

Vivienne's role as director of veterinary partnerships will entail developing active links with the profession in order to enable the delivery of clinical training rotations. 

SRUC has also appointed a head of interprofessional education, a veterinary programme director, veterinary lecturers and senior lecturers, all of whom will be overseen by Professor Jim Anderson, the new head of veterinary education.

Professor Caroline Argo, dean of veterinary medicine and head of school, said: “These new foundation posts are vital in supporting our growth agenda in this essential area.

“They are a critical element of the new school’s set-up to support our contribution to the development of Scotland’s natural economy as a driving force behind the promotion of resilience, diversity and sector fit among our veterinary graduates, embedding them in real-world experience and practice from the outset. Vivienne, as Director of Partnerships, is fundamental in providing that experience.

“All of our key appointments to date have shared their excitement in our sense of purpose and mission and we hope to continue that trend with all of our new appointments in the coming months.”

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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.