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Profession urged to make sustainability a priority in 2022
"We know that, when it comes to sustainability, even simple changes can really make a difference" - Justine Shotton, BVA president.
BVA calls on individuals to commit to positive change.

Veterinary professionals are being urged to kickstart the new year by promising to make sustainability a priority.

The BVA says the profession has ‘a vital part to play’ in reducing its environmental impact and is calling on as many veterinary professionals as possible to commit to positive change.

Dozens of individuals signed up to the #GreenTeamVet pledges announced at London Vet Show in November, which include:
  • To practise responsible resource use
  • To be more sustainable in my operation
  • To use medicines responsibly
  • To empower my team.
The Association says it would now like to see more professionals commit to #GreenTeamVet, and is highlighting some of the many ways that being sustainable can bring benefits for workplaces - from saving money and resources to reducing waste and helping to improve staff engagement.

BVA’s president Justine Shotton stressed that while pledging to sustainability may sound daunting, there are many simple ways to make an impact.

“We know how busy veterinary professionals are on a day-to-day basis and that the workforce is more stretched than ever before. But we also know that, when it comes to sustainability, even simple changes can really make a difference, and of course, the more people who take part, the greater the impact will be,” she said.

“You may decide to give yourself more of a challenge, but something as simple as promising to always recycle or to save resources by printing fewer hard copies really does make a difference. Even just telling your colleagues about your pledge and reasons for signing up helps to spread the word and encourages more people to do their part.”

Figures from BVA's 2021 July Voice of the Veterinary Profession Mini Survey found that 97 per cent of vets feel environmental sustainability is important, with 62 per cent saying it is very important to them. Despite this, fewer than half (47%) of vets said their workplace currently had any sustainability policies in place.

“Our research shows sustainability is already important to veterinary professionals, and the start of a new year is a great opportunity to put plans into action,” said Dr Shotton. “We urge everyone to take the time to talk about the issue within your practices – with your colleagues and with clients too - and to start 2022 off on a good note by promising to make positive changes, and then actioning them.”

To find out more and to sign the pledge, visit bva.co.uk/greenteamvet

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.