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BVA Members to Lobby MPs on OV Issues
Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA. (Photos courtesy of the BVA)
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is encouraging members to lobby their MPs following the announcement that some TB testing will be taken off Official Veterinarians (OVs) and carried out by Animal Health (AH).

OVs have received letters from AH this month informing them of the timetable for the retention of some TB tests, in some situations with very short notice.

The BVA and BCVA (British Cattle Veterinary Association) have written jointly to AH Chief Executive Catherine Brown setting out the Associations’ concerns with the speed in which the change is being implemented.

In particular the BVA and BCVA are concerned at the detrimental impact on the TB eradication programme if AH does not have the necessary resources to deliver testing work in-house. The BVA and BCVA have also raised questions over the impact on individual veterinary businesses that may have set up testing dates with farmers and taken on additional staff to undertake the work.

The BVA has produced a lobbying briefing for members who wish to raise the issues with their local MP. By harnessing political support the BVA hopes that parliamentarians and the Government will ensure question AH’s actions and ensure that disease control is not compromised.

Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said: “Animal Health is making decisions that are having an enormous effect on the veterinary profession very quickly and without full consultation.

“We are calling on our members to join our lobbying efforts to ensure that Animal Health’s decisions are being properly scrutinised by both Parliament and the Government.

“The results of getting this wrong will not only affect veterinary practices, but could have grave consequences for disease eradication and control.”

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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."