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APHA vet wins prestigious award
Susanna receiving her award at The House of Lords.

Dr Susannah Williamson honoured for role in pig disease surveillance

APHA vet Dr Susanna Williamson has won the David Black Award 2016 for her huge contribution to the pig industry.

The David Black Award, awarded by AHDB Pork, is the highest award within the pig industry. Recognising an individual’s valuable and sustained contribution, the award is named after the East Anglian pig producer who introduced it.

The judges’ citation said: “Susanna has devoted her time, energy and considerable talent in service to pig producers and she contributes greatly to keeping this country safe from the threats of existing and emerging disease.”

Dr Williamson is President of the Pig Veterinary Society and leads APHA’s Pig Expert Group. In 2000, she joined APHA Bury St Edmunds shortly before the outbreak of swine fever which led to the slaughter of almost 75,000 pigs.

Since the outbreak, Dr Williamson been involved in the diagnosis and investigation of many disease outbreaks in pigs, together with projects on bacterial and viral diseases.  

The esteemed vet also leads scanning surveillance activities at APHA in relation to pigs, to detect, investigate and tackle new and emerging disease threats and better understand existing porcine diseases.

Receiving her award at an industry breakfast, Dr Williamson said: “I didn’t even know I had been nominated and that would have surprised me, let alone finding out that I would receive the award.

“I appreciate the honour but really owe this award to my colleagues. I can only fulfil my role in pig disease surveillance and investigation through working as part of a team, within APHA and also with colleagues in the pig industry and pig veterinary community.”

“Successful disease surveillance is about working in partnership, and also requires access to a wide range of veterinary, scientific and technical expertise. This is especially important as the industry strives to address disease issues and minimise antimicrobial use.”

Image (C) APHA

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.