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BVA responds to latest COVID-19 rule changes
"We'd recommend that teams continually assess their ways of working to make sure they and their clients feel safe." James Russell, BVA president.

Association urges everyone to follow social distancing requirements

The BVA has made a statement following the new restrictions introduced by the government to help control the spread of COVID-19.

On Tuesday 22 September Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised people to work from home if possible and announced an increase in fines for people breaking the rules on wearing face coverings, social distancing or meeting in groups larger than six from multiple households.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, people are still being asked to follow two metre social distancing rules, and new restrictions have been issued on the number of people allowed to gather both indoors and outdoors.

BVA president James Russell said: “[Tuesday’s] speeches will not change much in terms of how veterinary professionals work in clinical practice and our advice and guidance on working safely remains in place.

“But the statements do serve as a timely reminder for everyone to follow social distancing requirements and as a strong message to clients to both follow and respect the requests and decisions that individual practices make in the interests of keeping colleagues and clients safe.

“We know how well practices have already adapted to new restrictions and adjusted their ways of working so that they can offer a safe working environment while keeping animal health and welfare front and centre.

“Now that the UK governments have given a clear signal that we may have many months of restrictions and challenges ahead, we’d recommend that teams continually assess their ways of working to make sure they and their clients feel safe and supported.”

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.