New department for Royal Veterinary College
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has launched a new department in production and population health.
The department will focus on sustainable and ethical farming methods in order to feed an ever-growing global population, and will look at the range of issues that contribute to the challenge.
Aside from the responsibility of taking over the running of the RVC farm at its Boltons Park site, students will learn about production and farm animal health, population medicine, veterinary epidemiology, veterinary public health, animal welfare, animal ethics, animal husbandry and agriculture economics.
Students of the new department will also undertake various research in each of the teaching areas.
John Fishwick, head of the new department, said: "Good animal husbandry and welfare are key to preventing disease and ensuring food security for the future. I relish the opportunity of leading the significant grouping of internationally recognised experts at RVC and making a positive impact, as researchers, clinicians, educators and animal health professionals, on a pressing global need."
RVC Principal Stuart Reid added: "Bringing these important areas into a single entity demonstrates the College's commitment to addressing the major global issue of sustainably produced food.
"Through this new department, we will strengthen our offer in terms of teaching, research and clinical service throughout the food chain, from primary production to consumption, at the level of the individual animal through to biosecurity and control at the resolution of the population."
In July 2012, the RVC became one of only two designated Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reference centres in veterinary epidemiology in the world, and the first in the UK, providing specific, independent technical and scientific advice.
Professor Reid continued that the new department would allow the RVC to better support the FAO in their goal to achieve food security for all.
"As an epidemiologist myself I am excited at the prospect of a renewed focus and energy in this critical area," he said.
Top story image: Kim Traynor
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