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RCVS Council elects new junior vice-president
Dr Niall Connell has been elected junior vice-president for 2018-19.

Dr Niall Connell will take up his new role in July 

RCVS Council members have elected Dr Niall Connell as junior vice-president for 2018-19 and confirmed Amanda Boag as president for the same year.

Niall was elected at a meeting of the RCVS Council on Thursday (8 March) where a number of other appointments were also confirmed. These include Amanda as president, professor Stephen May as senior vice-president, Dr Kit Sturgess as treasurer, Professor Susan Dawson as chair of education committee and Dr Kate Richards as chair of standards committee.

After qualifying from the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982, Niall began his career working in mixed practice in Fife. In 1984 he joined Glasgow East PDSA PetHospital as a senior veterinary surgeon where he remained for 15 years.

Whilst at the PDSA, Niall became an honorary lecturer and examiner at Glasgow vet school. He retired from clinical practice in 2009 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and now works as a clinical & professional skills Instructor at Glasgow vet school.

In asking for votes from RCVS Council members, Niall said: “I am passionate about highlighting RCVS’ work, achievements and ethos in person and on several social media platforms to maximise engagement with our professions and with undergraduates. I have an excellent relationship with RCVS staff which is very important. I relish the prospect of working with my fellow Council members, College staff and our professional colleagues in the field for the best outcomes.
 
“The College is immersed in many important projects such as Vet/VN Futures, Mind Matters, graduate outcomes, career pathways and One Health, as well as Brexit, global positioning and the Veterinary Surgeons Act. I would devote all my time and energy to being RCVS Vice-President/President.”

Niall, Amanda and the other team members will take up their new roles at RCVS Day in July.

Image (C) RCVS

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.