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BVA announces new board chairman
The BVA has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Philip Lowndes looks forward to addressing the challenges ahead

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has announced Philip Lowndes MRCVS as its new board chairman.

Bristol University graduate Philip spent seven years in mixed practice before pursuing a career in the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.  

Since then he has held national and international commercial roles including CEO of UK business and leading global marketing of a major international and animal health pharmaceuticals business

Commenting on his new appointment, Mr Lowndes said: “I am honoured to be elected as the next Chairman of the BVA and look forward to chairing the Board as it addresses the challenges ahead.

“The veterinary profession needs and deserves vibrant representation and it is the Board’s role to ensure that the organisation has the ability and the resources to achieve this to the benefit of our membership.

The BVA board oversees the performance of the association and is responsible for corporate and financial governance and for setting the BVA’s strategic direction. It consists of nine members including the three officers of the BVA, four directors appointed by BVA Council and up to two non-veterinary directors appointed by the board.

Philip was previously chairman of the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) and currently sits as chairman of the both the Novartis UK Pension Trustee Board and its Investment Committee.

In 2013, he joined the BVA’s board and was re-elected by the BVA for a second term in 2016. He will be taking over from Derek Williams, who stepped down in March after seven years.

“We are delighted to announce Philip Lowndes as the new Chairman of the BVA Board,” commented BVA president Gudrun Ravetz.

“His experience and expertise in business, knowledge of the veterinary profession and involvement with BVA will be of great value as we continue to grow our membership and expand our services and support for vets, especially during the uncertainty caused by Brexit.”

Image (C) BVA

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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.