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Bob Young honoured with posthumous fellowship
Bob Young
Bob is credited as a major force enabling the VBF to become the organisation it is today.
VBF pays tribute to Bob's kindness, intelligence and commitment

A posthumous fellowship has been awarded to Robert Charles (Bob) Young by the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF), in honour of his tireless work for the organisation.

Bob's widow Lorna and his daughters Caroline, Georgina and Stephanie attended the ceremony on July 17 to accept the award on his behalf.

It was an occasion of mixed emotions, marked by thankfulness for Bob's extraordinary contributions to the VBF, alongside a deep sadness for his loss.

As well as acute intelligence and unflagging commitment, Bob possessed great kindness, patience, charisma and a wonderful sense of humour. According to the VBF, many beneficiaries found new hope in their lives as a result of his personal contact with them.

Bob was a founding trustee of the Veterinary Surgeons' Health Support Programme (VSHSP), established around 15 years ago to help members of the profession combat problems such as alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders and other addictions and mental health issues.

He is credited as a major force in enabling the VBF to become the organisation it is today.

Presenting the fellowship, outgoing VBF president Dr Lydia Brown said the organisation was “immensely fortunate” to have had a person of Bob's abilities working tirelessly on their behalf.

“Bob understood the realities and difficulties of the veterinary life, having been in practice himself for 40 years,” she added. “He understood the politics of the profession, having been president of SPVS, the BVA and the Western Counties Veterinary Association.

“He brought all this skill and experience to VBF, working as a council representative, as a board member and for his last five years, as honorary treasurer.”

In honour of all that Bob was, and all that he did for the organisation, the board awarded him the title of Fellowship (posthumous) of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund.

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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.