2013 will see the two events combined

The annual Congress of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) will take place at the London Vet Show from 2013 onwards.

The partnership between BVA and the London Vet Show (LVS) was announced last night by outgoing BVA President Carl Padgett in his welcoming address at BVA Congress, currently taking place in Liverpool.

The move aims to bring together political debate and clinical CPD on a large scale, and will ensure that BVA can reach a wider audience. Two new clinical streams will be added to the London Vet Show programme: cattle and equine streams for mixed practitioners will be provided by the BVA, alongside the companion animal stream delivered by the Royal Veterinary College.

BVA members are set to benefit from discounted rates for the London Vet Show, something which has already come into play this year, with the BVA and LVS joined together to launch the BVA Careers Fair, which will be hosted at this year's London Vet Show from the 15th-16th November.

Carl Padgett called the decision an "exciting step" for BVA, and said: “It’s a significant move for BVA but one that makes complete sense. From 2013 we will be bringing together the contentious issue streams that are the bedrock of BVA Congress, with a high quality clinical CPD programme covering large and small animals, and one of the biggest and best veterinary exhibitions."

Rob Chapman, Event Director for the LVS, commented: “We are all delighted to be developing our relationship with the BVA.To be able to host such an established and prestigious event as the BVA Congress at the London Vet Show is an honour for the Vet Show."