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Vets gather to honour Des Thompson
“There are not enough words to really explain how much Des has given to vets, nurses, students, owners, and pets throughout his career” – Alison Speakman.
Event in Belfast celebrates former BSAVA president.

Veterinary associations in Northern Ireland came together on Tuesday, 7 November to mark 40 years since Des Thompson OBE was president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) and celebrate his contribution to the veterinary profession.

More than 50 delegates attended the event in Belfast, alongside Mr Thompson, his wife Rosalie, and two of his daughters.

The day included CPD from speaker Ed Hall and speeches from the organisations attending the meeting, including the BSAVA, the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland, the British Veterinary Association Northern Ireland, and the Young Vet Network in Northern Ireland.

In addition to serving as BSAVA president, Mr Thompson has also served as president of other major veterinary organisations including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the Northern Ireland Veterinary Association, and as chairman of the Ulster Branch of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

In 1991, he was awarded an OBE for his contributions to the veterinary profession and in 2014 he was the first person to receive the RCVS Queen’s Medal.

Although he retired as a veterinary surgeon in 2009, he remains an active member of the veterinary community in Northern Ireland.

Alison Speakman, BSAVA senior vice-president, said: “There are not enough words to really explain how much Des has given to vets, nurses, students, owners, and pets throughout his career.

“He is one of the kindest, most supportive, humble, and true gentlemen you will ever meet, and it is an honour to celebrate his outstanding achievements with him and his wife Rosalie.”

Image © BSAVA

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.