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Chief vet highlights importance of the OV
Ian Wright, Head of ESCCAP, who spoke at the conference on tick-borne diseases; Lisa Girdwood, a delegate from West Mount Vets and Professor Nigel Gibbens.

Nigel Gibbens speaks at 2016 Official Veterinarian Conference 

Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbons has highlighted the importance of the Official Veterinarian (OV) in safeguarding animal welfare and sharing best practice.

Speaking at the annual OV Conference (39 and 30 September), Professor Gibbens reminded delegates that the need to ensure animal welfare underpins the majority of the work they undertake.

He suggested that, in light of global challenges associated with climate change and rising populations, the balance between food production, animals disease and animal welfare was an increasingly important issue.

Over 200 OVs attended the 2016 Official Veterinarian Conference, which took animal welfare and the role of the OV as its overall theme.

The conference features discussions and lectures on large and small animal topics, including pitfalls around certification, current thinking on bovine TB and the threat from exotic ticks.

Organised by Improve International, 5m Publishing and the APHA, the annual conference aims to provide a forum to discuss the latest developments in OV work. It also gives OVs the opportunity to network and share experiences and ideas.

Commenting on the event, David Babington, managing director of Improve International, said: “Talking to delegates during the two days, I was particularly impressed with the level of enthusiasm they showed. It was clear that they really did want to hear the latest thinking from the experts and to put their new knowledge into practice.   

“The exhibition of products and services of relevance to OVs was also very well-supported. We are delighted at the positive feedback we have received from speakers, delegates and exhibitors and are making plans for the 2017 event which we will announce in due course.”

Image (C) George PR

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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.