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RCVS and VN Council election results revealed
Four new members to RCVS and VN Council
Joining RCVS Council for the first time are Melissa Donald and Lucie Goodwin (top). Matthew Rendle and Rachael Marshall (bottom) will take the two places available on VN Council.

Successful candidates will take up their positions in July

The results of the 2016 RCVS and VN Council elections have been revealed.

The profession cast their vote and elected four current and two new members to RCVS Council, and two new members to VN Council.

Returning to four of the six available seats on RCVS Council are Christopher Barker (2,838 votes), Amanda Boag (2,689 votes), Kit Sturgess (2,586 votes) and Stephen May (2,452 votes).

Joining the RCVS Council for the first time are Melissa Donald (2,532 votes) and Lucie Goodwin (2,307 votes).

The re-election of Stephen May means that he will serve as junior vice president of the RCVS for 2016-2017.

New members Matthew Rendle (547 votes) and Rachael Marshall (537 votes) will take the two places available on VN Council.

“I’d like to congratulate all those who were successfully elected, and re-elected, to council and thank those who took part in this year’s election – whether by standing as a candidate, casting a vote or submitting questions for the candidates to answer,” said Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS acting registrar.

Liz Cox, chair of VN Council, added: “Many congratulations to the two brand new members of VN Council – I look forward to working with them over the coming years and seeing what they can bring to help drive the profession forward.”

In total 15.6 per cent of veterinary surgeons eligible to vote did so compared to 18.1 per cent last year.

The number of veterinary nurses was higher than last year (1,435 compared to 1,379). However, the overall turnout of 10.9 per cent was slightly lower than last year, when 11 per cent of the profession cast their votes.

The successful candidates will take up their positions at RCVS Day - the College’s Annual General Meeting and awards day on Friday, 15 July 2016 at the Royal Institute of British Architects. 

To read full interviews with the election candidates visit vetcommunity.com.

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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.