Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th June 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

BVA Welsh Branch elects new president
BVA Welsh Branch has elected Gwen Rees as its new president.

Gwen Rees welcomed into office after AGM.

British Veterinary Association (BVA) Welsh Branch has elected Gwen Rees as its new president following its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 27 June.

Gwen Rees, a farm veterinarian and academic, takes the position following two years as junior vice-president. Former president Collin Wilson will move into the role of senior vice-president, with Phoebe Carter as the new junior vice-president.

Dr Rees was welcomed into the position by BVA president Malcolm Morley at the annual Welsh Dinner.

Dr Rees is well-known in the Welsh veterinary community, having served as the project lead for Arwain DGC’s Veterinary Prescribing Champions Network, a Welsh government-funded national antimicrobial stewardship programme. Following the success of this project, which prompted a UK-wide launch of the Farm Vet Champions programme, she was awarded the RCVS Impact Award in 2021.

On becoming president, Dr Rees said: “I look forward to my time as Welsh Branch president. I am passionate about supporting the veterinary profession in Wales in all its variety. I believe that being a vet in Wales should be something people aspire to, and that we can act as a role model for the profession across the UK.

“It is a profession I am proud to be a member of, and BVA Welsh Branch works hard to show that Wales can lead the way with a forward-thinking approach to animal health and welfare, to prescribing medicines responsibly, and to the wellbeing of our vets and vet nurses.

“While responsible prescribing will remain an issue very close to my heart during my term as president, I am also keen to tackle the many other challenges facing vets in Wales today. We need a strong workforce of happy and fulfilled vets, with a focus on developing good workplaces and a sustainable model of veterinary training.

“Other areas of focus over the next two years include dog breeding, the ongoing endemic disease challenges including bovine TB and avian influenza, embedding vets at the heart of the Sustainable Farming Scheme and ensuring the animal welfare measures that would have come into force with the failed Kept Animals Bill remain on the political agenda.”

BVA president Malcolm Morley said: “Gwen has already proved herself an invaluable member of the team during her term as junior vice president and I look forward to working with her even more closely.

“There are many challenges on the horizon for Wales, from endemic diseases to veterinary capacity, and I’m delighted that we will benefit from Gwen’s extensive understanding of the farming community here in Wales as we navigate these issues.”

Image (C) British Veterinary Association

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.