BVA Congress 2010
New BVA president, Harvey Locke.
Outlining his achievements over the past 12 months in his final speech as BVA President, Professor Bill Reilly said he has been proud to have played his part in the last year. He began his speech by highlighting the theme of the year: vets and the public good, commenting: “From fighting for fair pay for Official Veterinarian services to tackling TB; from protecting the public against dangerous dogs to promoting the responsible use of medicines; and from securing the UK’s borders against rabies, ticks and tapeworms to improving the welfare of dairy cattle this has certainly been a year for championing the public good function of the veterinary profession.”
The issues touched on in Bill Reilly’s speech were also looked at in depth during the range of sessions held – many of which explored topical and contentious subjects. One such discussion looked at ‘Pets and society: dangerous dogs and the law’ which expressed the view that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 has essentially failed and looked at what kind of approach is needed to better protect the public. Another: ‘Vets and the Public Good – the broader perspective’ looked at how veterinary contribution to society has grown to be considerably large, extending into areas such as public health, infectious disease control, scientific research, public education, food production, national security, disaster management, care of the environment, and international development. Other sessions questioned at what point veterinary treatment is treatment too far (including discussions with Noel Fitzpatrick) and debated antimicrobial resistance and the way in which antibiotics are used in the human and veterinary medical fields.
As well as these sessions, a range of clinical and non-clinical CPD sessions and presentations on overseas veterinary activity also took place. These included sessions relating to heart failure, mast cell tumours, practical worm control, safeguarding veterinary and public health, contracts of employment, developing management skills and performing well under pressure.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
