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UK deputy chief veterinary officer appointed
“It is a privilege for me to serve in this role” – Dr Martin-Almagro.
Interim appointment has been made permanent.

Jorge Martin-Almagro has been appointed as the UK deputy chief veterinary officer (DCVO) for international affairs.

He is taking on the role permanently, after serving on an interim basis since July 2023.

During his time as interim DCVO, he has been involved in securing trade deals to export British poultry and pork to Vietnam, lamb to Taiwan and the USA, and pork to Mexico.

Before starting his current job, Dr Martin-Almagro held a variety of roles at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, including as head of international market access. He has also previously served as head of consumer protection at the Food Standards Agency.

As a DCVO, he will be working alongside Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, and Ele Brown, DCVO for national, domestic and exotic diseases.

Dr Martin-Almagro said: “It is a privilege for me to serve in this role, working with Christine, Ele, UK government officials and stakeholders from all over the world to protect animals and the public.

“I look forward to securing new market access opportunities for UK producers, whilst upholding our position as a global leader in animal health and welfare in line with the One Health approach.”

Prof Middlemiss added: “I am delighted to be working with Jorge. I am confident that he will help meet the challenges we face and provide excellent support to myself and Ele Brown, our other UK deputy CVO, on veterinary and technical issues.

“Jorge will be a great asset to UK veterinary services, leading the development of our priority international market access opportunities.”

Image © Defra

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.