Vets in NI farm practice – if a job’s worth doing, we know you’ll do it well! However, did you know that DAERA can make certain types of changes to the TB testing contract without formally notifying you in advance of the changes coming into effect? To ensure that you continue to meet and exceed the standards set in the contract its worth checking the DAERA website to ensure that you are fully aware of all of the changes made since this contract came into force in Spring 2016.
NI vets – we know that you’ve worked hard all year and its difficult to squeeze CPD into an already busy life. The AVSPNI Autumn Conference at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle, County Down should help you tick both R&R and CPD boxes. We have an exceptional line-up of speakers giving talks of relevance, almost whatever type of practice you work in. The social side of this weekend is legendary too!
Check out the brochure and be sure to reserve your accommodation by 4th September and return your registration form before 18th to get the best prices.
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that NIVA and BVA NI Branch President Jean Wales died this morning, June 26th, in Causeway Hospital, Coleraine. She suffered a major heart attack on Sunday morning at about 1.00 am from which she did not recover consciousness. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Billy, her son James, her wider family circle and her many, many close friends.
Funeral arrangements will be posted here when they are available.
NIVA has organised a meeting to allow the vet profession to discuss the TBSPG report with TBSPG panel members. The event will be held on 27th July at the Glenavon House Hotel. Full details are on the Events page of the VetNI website or on the Flyer This is YOUR chance to better understand the expected direction of travel toward bovine TB eradication in NI. Do you want to discuss the drivers and methodology behind the panel’s conclusions? Want to find out what fresh input and new partnerships your own sector of the profession may be required to offer? Come along on Thursday 27th! Don’t forget to register by e-mailing info@vetni.co.uk
Members of BDG’s can elect to have a herd/flock plan prepared by their PVP following a template plan. PVP are paid a direct fee for preparation of the plan paid by CAFRE on receipt of a completed plan. Some basic blood analysis are also covered with the farmer being reimbursed this cost on confirmation the test results have been reported.
BDG members have to indicate their interest to CAFRE initially and CAFRE will notify the practices of their interest.
Guidance notes and templates for Suckler Beef and Sheep can be sourced using the links below, dairy plans are being finalised and should be available by Monday 23 Jan. A list of contacts is included in the guidance notes. In the event that any of the link don’t work please contact Andrew Murray – 028 9442 6820 andrew.murray@daera-ni.gov.uk
Guidance Notes – http://eservices.ruralni.gov.uk/docs/VetGuide.docx
S Beef plan – http://eservices.ruralni.gov.uk/docs/hplansbeef.docx
Sheep plan – http://eservices.ruralni.gov.uk/docs/hplansheep.docx
We hope you’ll agree that the CPD and value for money offered here are second to none. If you haven’t been to the AVSPNI Autumn Conference before, do join us – there is something for all vets and it really is quite unlike any other vet conference!
Download brochure here
Download print and post registration form here
On-line registration will be available shortly.
From the BVA:
President of the British Veterinary Association Sean Wensley said:
“The UK’s decision to leave the European Union will have a significant impact on matters of interest to the veterinary profession, particularly in relation to regulation, education, and workforce planning, but also in terms of animal welfare, research, surveillance, and animal movements.
“BVA will work hard to ensure the voice of the veterinary profession is heard during the negotiation and discussions that will now begin, in order to secure the best possible outcomes for our profession and for animal health and welfare in the UK. The Vet Futures report provides an excellent summary of issues we need to consider in those discussions, and the Vet Futures Action Plan, due to be launched at the Vet Futures Summit on 4 July, outlines key initiatives that we need to take forward, albeit with revised timelines while the full impact of Brexit is determined.
“BVA will retain an outward looking and inclusive perspective through our relationships with international partners, including the Federation of Veterinarians for Europe (FVE), Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) and World Veterinary Association (WVA) to ensure the UK veterinary profession continues to influence and engage on cross border issues such as disease surveillance, veterinary medicines and antimicrobial resistance.”
From the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons:
“We note that the results of the referendum are to leave the European Union and will now be closely following the negotiations between our Government and the EU.
“These negotiations are expected to take a minimum of two years. It is difficult to say at this stage how the vote will affect current arrangements, such as the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (MRPQ) that allows European vets to practise in the UK and vice-versa, and it is likely to be some time before we know.
“Needless to say, we will be working with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to minimise any disruption from the transition process. As always, we will work to maintain and increase the UK’s high standards of veterinary care and animal welfare.”
Are you aware that DARD has trained Mentoring teams in each Divisional office to assist you with queries?
Teams of between 1-3 VOs and support staff who work in Customer Services Branch from each division were trained recently with the aim of being able to assist you or find answers to your queries when you are understandably perplexed by some certification requirements.
Training was part lecture and part computer-based. Staff logged on to eAVI and TRACES and could see what is involved in generating a certificate from an AVI perspective. It is not expected that staff would be fully conversant with all problems that might arise during certification. They do have an overview of the systems involved and should be able to find an answer and reply to you within a reasonable length of time. They were reminded, as are AVIs, to always check the Notes for Guidance associated with each certificate as these often resolve a lot of queries.
Further information can be found here.
AHWNI have organised 6 dates for vets, farmers and other interested parties to discuss the BVD Eradication Programme’s progression from its voluntary phase to compulsory. The dates are all on the VetNI Events page and vets in mixed practice are encouraged to attend a meeting convenient to them.
More information on the Programme can be found here.
