Mr Blackwell said there may be "sound economic reasons" for opening a vet school in Northern Ireland.

BVA president tackles key issues at annual Northern Ireland dinner

Continued investment is needed in Northern Ireland's world-class veterinary science research, in order to maintain disease surveillance levels and ensure preparedness for disease outbreak, said BVA president John Blackwell.

Speaking at the BVA's annual dinner in Stormont, Mr Blackwell covered a range of hot topics in the profession, including the University of Ulster's plans for a new vet school, the vet's role in the agri-food sector and Northern Ireland's success in early implementation of compulsory microchipping.

The annual dinner is attended by parliamentarians, representatives from key animal health and welfare organisations and leading members of the veterinary profession.

Mr Blackwell praised work carried out by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), particularly in the aquaculture industry and international trade in pig products.

"Continued investment in AFBI – and I would highlight in particular its Veterinary Sciences Division – is critical in order to maintain sufficient levels of disease surveillance and investigation.

"Such work guarantees preparedness for an outbreak of epizootic/transboundary disease – just as AFBI was able to provide in relation to influenza, Bluetongue and Schmallenberg in recent years."

Mr Blackwell also congratulated Northern Ireland on becoming officially brucellosis free next year.

Minister O'Neill, who recently published a response to AFBI's Going for Growth, Investing in Success report, was urged to give more focus to the vet's role in ensuring confidence in the agri-food sector.

Mr Blackwell praised the success of Northern Ireland's compulsory dog microchipping scheme, which has seen the number of strays fall from one stray dog for every 184 people to one stray dog for every 311 people, according to the Dogs Trust.

Moving on to comment on veterinary education, Mr Blackwell referred to the University of Ulster's plans for the opening of a new vet school. Much controversy has surrounded the issue of vet schools, particularly when it was announced in 2012 that the University of Surrey would open the UK's seventh vet school.

Mr Blackwell said there may be "sound economic reasons" for opening a school in Northern Ireland. However, he echoed the concerns of many of the veterinary profession that too may graduates may flood the jobs market.

"We need to get this right from the start. If we don't, there is potential for too many vets and not enough jobs, with downward pressure on salaries and employment conditions."

Image courtesy of BVA