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Welsh AMs sign open letter outlining Brexit concerns
One in five vets in Wales is a non-UK EU national.
Letter calls for urgent action to avoid vet shortfall

More than 20 Welsh Assembly Members (AMs) have signed an open letter to environment secretary Michael Gove outlining concerns about Brexit and its impact on the Welsh veterinary workforce.

A total of 29 AMs - more than 60 per cent of non-ministerial members - have rallied together to ask Mr Gove to take urgent action to get vets reinstated on the Shortage Occupation List.

It comes amid increasing concerns that Wales could see a serious shortfall of vets when Britain leaves the European Union. RCVS figures show that one in five vets in Wales is a non-UK EU national and this figure rises to 100 per cent for Official Veterinarians.

Plaid Cymru AM and BVA Honorary Associate Llyr Gruffydd has been at the forefront of rallying other assembly members to support the campaign. He said: “We’re asking Michael Gove to support BVA’s call to reinstate vets on the Shortage Occupation List, to ensure that we avoid a potentially problematic shortfall in capacity post-Brexit.

“There is a very real danger that, without positive action, the food chain will be left exposed to an increased risk of food fraud and animal welfare breaches at a time when it has never been more imperative to preserve high levels of consumer confidence in UK produce, both at home and overseas.”

Sarah Carr, BVA Welsh Branch President, said: “The fact that so many Assembly Members from a mix of parties have signed this letter shows that there is significant and unified recognition of the valuable contribution that vets make in Wales, along with understanding of the need to support and champion the profession in the challenging times ahead.

“We’re immensely grateful to Llyr for his continued support, as well as all the other assembly members who have added their voice to call for urgent action to ensure that the workforce can operate at full strength over the coming years.”

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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.