Sam Strain elected as BVA’s NI president
Dr Strain's presidency comes amid great change in the vet profession.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Dr Sam Strain as president of its Northern Ireland branch for 2026-2027.
He took the role at the BVA NI Branch Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 29 January 2026 at the Veterinary Surgeons Supply Company.
This year’s presidential theme will take a One Health approach, and is titled ‘Healthy Animals, Healthy People, Healthy Environment’. The BVA’s NI Branch will seek to understand the three-way interaction of these concepts.
Dr Strain said: “During my presidency I want to improve our understanding of this three-way interaction.
“We need to ask ourselves - what current and emerging approaches can be used in horizon scanning and improving our understanding of current and future disease threats? In what ways can the veterinary profession, in its range of capacities, develop new tools and interventions to protect the wellbeing of people? How can animal health measures contribute to environmental improvement and meeting emission targets?”
His presidential year comes amid concerns for Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit medicine availability. Dr Strain confirmed he would be monitoring medicine availability and assessing any new schemes implemented by the UK government.
There will also be a focus on the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966), which could see major reforms following the announcement of an eight-week public consultation on 28 January 2026.
He added: “I’m both honoured and looking forward to supporting the veterinary profession within Northern Ireland. The issues facing the profession are wide ranging, from the most challenging of infectious diseases such as bovine TB to emerging diseases such as bluetongue, from reviews into dog breeding legislation to equine traceability, the list is long and important.
“I want to champion the role of the veterinary profession within Northern Ireland by working positively and constructively with partners in government, academia, industry, and practice, to help find solutions to problems both old and new.”
Dr Strain’s election follows his term as junior vice-president in 2025. His presidency succeeds that of Dr Kirsten Dunbar, who will now sit as senior vice-president in the coming year.
Image © BVA
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