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VN award changed to boost nominations
trophy
There are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.
Golden Jubilee award clarified and amended
 
Changes will be made to the VN Golden Jubilee award in a bid to boost the number of nominations.

At a meeting of the VN Council in Telford last week, it was revealed that there are generally just three or four nominations each year.

As well as a general lack of nominations, some of those submitted are not meeting the criteria - perhaps due to confusion with other awards, such as the Blue Cross Veterinary Nurse of the Year or CEVA Animal Welfare Awards.

In 2013, the panel decided none of the nominations fit the criteria.

Going forward, the award will be restricted so that only veterinary nurses may win and the criteria will be clarified. The award seeks nurses who have made an 'exceptional' contribution to the profession in terms of leadership, outreach, awareness-raising and ambassadorship.

The nominations period will also change, bringing it into line with the Queen's Medal award for veterinary surgeons.

Additionally, there are plans to allow each year's winner to give a speech at BVNA Congress.

VN Council vice chair Kathy Kissick expressed some concern over this, however: "I would be very twitchy about giving someone free rein to say what they like," she commented. It was suggested award winners will receive help in putting together a professional presentation.

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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.