NIVA WINTER NEWSLETTER
It has certainly been a busy year, and the last few months have been no exception, with lots going on across a number of fronts – veterinary medicines, TB, agricultural policy, NIVA events and presidential invitations.
COUNCIL ACTIVITIES
Veterinary medicines
We have continued to work closely with BVA colleagues to keep the issue of a secure supply of veterinary medicines for NI in the forefront of the minds of politicians and UK Government with on-going meetings with VMD and the Windsor Framework team and meetings with MPs, MLAs and House of Lords representatives. Mark Little (NIVA’s Honorary Secretary and the main protagonist, over the last few years, in the vet meds arena) and I gave evidence to the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee along with representatives from UFU and AHDA.
This was followed up by an invitation to address the AERA Committee. We were extremely well received by both.
The support of both Committees and that of the NI agricultural industry who co-signed a public letter, co-ordinated by BVA, and signed by NIVA and BVA-NI, resulted in increased political lobbying and the proposed meeting with the Veterinary Medicines Working Group (VMWG) being brought forward, with a further industry meeting with Baroness Hayman taking place before Christmas.
Links to the technical guidance to the VMHSS and VMIHS, as well as supplementary guidance, can be found at the following link.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/northern-ireland-veterinary-medicines-supplementary-guidance
As the VMIHS has been designed as an extension of the cascade, its guidance should be read in conjunction with that of the cascade.
The cascade: prescribing unauthorised medicines – GOV.UK
In addition, VMD have recently released a webinar “Upcoming Changes to the Supply and Prescribing of Veterinary Medicines for Veterinary Surgeons in Northern Ireland” that can be accessed on the following link.
Changes to veterinary medicine supply in Northern Ireland webinar recordings – GOV.UK
For any questions you may still have please contact VMD directly using this Slido Link
Supply of Veterinary Medicines to Northern Ireland from 1 January 2026
If you encounter any issues with any veterinary medicine availability, or even hear rumours of potential supply problems, please report them directly to windsorframework@vmd.gov.uk or let us know by contacting any NIVA Council member or via info@vetni.co.uk and we will be happy to pass on the details.
TB Partnership Steering Group
There have been at least monthly meetings of the TBPSG recently, with NIVA contributing to additional workshops on the regionalisation project and the biosecurity questionnaire. While NIVA welcomes many of the proposals being put forward, we continue to press for an evidence-led strategy, for maximised co-design of all elements and for action that will benefit affected herd owners in all parts of NI. ,
Agricultural Policy
With our BVA-NI hats on we continue to press for animal health and welfare to be considered via our representation in DAERA’s Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group. We are really pleased to see the subject of sheep sector support is now on the agenda, are setting out our priorities for this area to DAERA and welcome the invitation to take part in the new Sheep Sector Support Working Group.
DAERA Expert Advisory Group carrying out a Review of the Dog Breeding Regulations in NI
NIVA also met with the above group again, hearing about and contributing to the survey designed by Susan Cunningham (NIVA past president and current Council member).
Can I please encourage you all to help generate the information so urgently needed, to support future proposals, by completing this survey. Click HERE
NETWORKING
It’s not been all work though! I have thoroughly enjoyed being invited, as President of NIVA, to the BEVA Conference, Vetireland 25 Conference, VCI gala dinner and AVSPNI Autumn Conference.
RECENT EVENTS
“Leading the Way for Horses”, organised by past-president and Council member Esther Skelly-Smith, was a fantastic all-day equine welfare symposium with contributions from exciting speakers on understanding learning in horses, the role of farriery in welfare and performance, equine traceability, sustainable parasite control and behavioural issues. Kindly supported by Summit, this was well supported from across the equine world with attendees, from both north and south of the border, including vets, trainers, farriers, breeders and owners.
“Vets All Areas” was another well attended event, at the excellent Vic-Ryn T3 venue, where those joining enjoyed refreshments and time to network and catch up with friends old and new before hearing from two local vets, Jim Ross and Terence McManus, who have taken a path less trodden and gave us great insights to the world of European veterinary audits and the meat industry. The third speaker, a former veterinary student who decided that a vet’s life was not for her, was unable to attend but was happy to be videoed explaining her work as an ethical taxidermist and showing us some of her amazing lifelike pieces. Our thanks go to Tim Skelly-Smith who produced the excellent video and to the ABP Group for their support.
We also welcomed Tracey and George from the Farming Community Network who updated us on the “Nip it in the Bud Campaign” being undertaken in conjunction with McMillan Cancer Support.
Looking forward to seeing you all in 2026.
Kirsten
