The Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed) has appointed Professor Peter Wells as their new chief executive. He served as interim chief executive officer of the charity for six months from November last year and now succeeds Shadrack Moephuli in his new role.

Congratulations to Heather Armstrong, the founder of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust, who has been awarded an honorary degree from the Royal Veterinary College. The charity, set up in 2002, aims to help Gambian farmers look after their equines more effectively, which has involved teaching basic stable management, training local vets, farriers, harness makers and cart makers. The Honorary Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery was awarded in recognition of the outstanding service that Heather has provided in both animal and humanitarian welfare in Gambia.

Nigel Yeo has been appointed as the new Director of Operations at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. He will take up his post on the 8th of August and will lead Battersea's staff and volunteers in providing the highest possible standards of animal welfare for its dogs and cats, as well as a first class service to all its visitors.

Professor Stephen May, Vice-Principal for teaching and learning at the Royal Veterinary College, London, has been awarded the prestigious Betts Prize in recognition of his commitment to excellence and his contribution to the advancement of the RVC. The award was presented to Professor May on July 25th, the RVC's Graduation Day, joining the class of 2012 receiving their degrees.

The first horses have arrived at Greenwich Park in time for the Olympic equestrian events at London 2012. Over the next couple of weeks, horses from 40 countries on six continents will be staying in Greenwich Park for the Olympic equestrian events, with 54 coming in for the Dressage and 90 for the Jumping after the Eventing horses have finished their competition. Busiest day of all will be 1 August when no fewer than 39 lorries and 88 horses will go through the ESF en route to Greenwich. A further 78 horses will be on site during the Paralympic Games. There is a purpose-built 24-hour Veterinary Clinic on site, if there is any veterinary need, and an initial health check is carried out by a veterinary team to make sure that the horses have no signs of infectious disease or injury.
Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI

Neil Parish, Conservative MP, has been elected as chairman of the newly-formed All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pigs and Poultry. The new body, formed to campaign and raise awareness within Westminster on pig and poultry issues, held its first meeting last week. Membership is open to MPs and peers of all parties.