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New President for the BVA
Mr Harvey Locke, the new president of the BVA.
Mr Harvey Locke has been elected President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) for 2010/2011. Mr Carl Padgett, a large animal practitioner in Lancaster, has also taken up his new position as the President-Elect.

The ceremony took place during the Annual General Meeting of the BVA at the close of its Annual Congress, held in Glasgow.
 
A small animal practitioner in Stockport, Harvey Locke has veterinary science in his blood: when he qualified from Liverpool University in 1969 he became the fourth consecutive generation of vets in his family.  His great grandfather was President of the RCVS one hundred years ago in 1910/11 and his grandfather was President of the RCVS in 1934/35.  His daughter and his niece have both recently graduated from Liverpool to join the profession as the fifth consecutive generation.
 
Mr Locke has been actively and continuously involved in veterinary politics for 24 years and is a former President of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and Vice President of the Union of European Veterinary Practitioners.
 
In his inaugural speech Mr Locke said: “We live in rapidly changing times and as a traditional profession we must strive to keep up. As the professional body I believe the BVA should always be one step ahead and that is why I have chosen ‘Vets in a changing world’ as the theme for my presidential year.
 
“From the internal changes to BVA Council to the new Coalition Government; from the prospect of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to the impact of global climate change and the increasingly free movement of people and animals; we sit in the midst of enormous fluctuation. Each element brings its own challenges and opportunities.”
 
Mr Carl Padgett has been a former president of the British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) and is currently chairman of Trustees of the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation. He has been involved in veterinary politics for the last 15 years.

Mr Carl Padgett, the new President-Elect.
Delighted at being elected as President-Elect, Carl Padgett said: “My representative roles for BCVA and subsequently BVA have enabled me to understand and realise my true interest in the veterinary profession; ensuring the profession has a voice and our place in society is valued.
 
“Our multi-disciplinary education and training places the profession in a unique position; representing the welfare and health of animals committed to our care, protecting the consumer in terms of food safety and ensuring food security at national and international levels by working within the agricultural world.  Vets are not just part of the leisure industry making animals better; we fill a much wider role in underpinning society and its contact with animals at all levels.
 
“I am proud and honoured to become part of the BVA Officer team.”

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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

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.