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Sheep Vet Society names new president
Rebecca Mearns has been named president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.
Rebecca Mearns succeeds the role from Amanda Carson.

The Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) has named sheep health and production specialist Rebecca Mearns as its new president.

Rebecca succeeds the role from Amanda Carson, who becomes senior vice president, while Nick Hart is retiring from the committee. David Wilson joins the team as the new junior vice president. 

Rebecca has been a member of the Sheep Veterinary Society since her final year of veterinary school and has been running her own small sheep flock for nearly 20 years.

She worked in mixed practise for a while before joining Voluntary Service Overseas in Malawi's southern districts. 

After returning to Cumbria in 2004, Rebecca completed the RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health and Production before working as a Veterinary Investigation Officer for SAC in Edinburgh, and then for APHA at the Penrith site.

Commenting on her appointment, Rebecca said: "I’m delighted to take on this role having been an active member of the Sheep Vet Society for many years. As president, I’m looking forward to representing and championing sheep vets in the year ahead.

"These are interesting times in the sector, with plenty happening including trade deals and the changes to farming subsidies. The delivery of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which will see every sheep farmer engaging with their sheep vet, has the potential to make a great difference to flock health. This is a time of change, and I’m excited to be involved."

Through scientific meetings, workshops, and training sessions, as well as representation on the British Veterinary Association Council and specialist Committees, the SVS promotes sheep health and welfare.

The Society was founded in 1967, and its 500 members come from all sectors of the sheep industry. The majority of members are veterinary surgeons, but a quarter are advisers, researchers, farmers, and shepherds. 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.