"We want to maintain the very positive relationship we have with the Scottish Government and build on those successes as well as tackling challenges ahead."

Grace Webster takes the reins

Grace Webster has been elected president of the British Veterinary Association's (BVA) Scottish branch.

During her term as president, Grace will be the principal representative of BVA's Scottish branch in relation to veterinary matters.

Grace spent most of her veterinary career in mixed practice in Aberdeenshire. For the last four years, she has run a specialist pig practice covering much of Scotland, and guest lectured in pig medicine and husbandry in Scottish universities. She is currently the senior vice president of the Pig Veterinary Society.

“I am so pleased to have been elected as president of BVA Scottish branch by my colleagues and I am extremely grateful to Ronnie Soutar, our senior vice president, for everything he has achieved this year," said Grace. "We want to maintain the very positive relationship we have with the Scottish Government and build on those successes as well as tackling challenges ahead. 

"I encourage all BVA members in Scotland to contact us and engage with us to ensure we know their views and represent them. We are proud of BVA's on-going commitment to its members in Scotland and welcome its support for further engagement between Branch and key Scottish stakeholders."
 
Congratulating Grace on her election, BVA President John Blackwell said: “BVA’s branches are vital in safeguarding animal welfare and representing the views of veterinary surgeons in the devolved nations, where animal health and welfare are the responsibility of the individual nation.

"The work of the Scottish branch and Grace and her colleagues brings invaluable expertise to discussions about relevant animal, agricultural and veterinary policy in Scotland as well as playing a hugely important role when it comes to influencing politicians.
 
“I am delighted to welcome Grace as president and know that she will help take forward the successes of the last year. Ronnie and Grace, together with Kathleen Robertson as the regional representative for Scotland on BVA Council, will be a team to be reckoned with in the nicest possible way.”

Image (C) BVA