VetNI

Veterinary Northern Ireland

Autumn conference family fun 2016!

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Great CPD and family time rolled into one! What more could you want for one weekend! Autumn conference registration is open NOW! The kids ‘over 4’s’ programme is so action packed and exciting that they won’t even realise you’ve gone to lectures! We have everything to keep those little hands occupied until Sunday! From Jumping Clay workshops to the bungee trampolines! Don’t worry if you have little legs under 4, we also have a full crèche facility on the Saturday so you can enjoy your day and night in peace and be rest assured that they will be well looked after!  The key is to book early as family rooms will be snapped up quickly!!

For full brochure programme click here!

For registration form click here!

 

AVSPNI Autumn Conference Programme is here!

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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.

YOU can save our Bees!

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For bees to produce 500g of honey they must collect nectar from 200000 flowers!  The British Bee Veterinary Association is asking for YOUR help.  They are asking vets all over the UK to help save the declining number of bees that are so vital in our society.  A third of the food we eat requires pollination and you can contribute to this by being a part of the Bee-Friendly Practice Scheme.

So what does the scheme involve?  It encourages practices to plant a 1M2 pot with flowering plants that will attract pollinating bees.  If each of the practices in the UK contributed by planting a tub or border to sustain visiting bees, then not only could we make a real difference, but your practice will look bright and cheery to customers and it will also raise the profile of your practice.  WIN, WIN!

Some interesting bee facts:

  • There is only one species of honey bee native in the UK.  There are 24 species of bumblebee and 225 of solitary bee.
  • A honeybee can dance to show other bees where to find food.
  • Bees have two stomachs;  One for food and the other just for nectar.
  • Bees are the only insect in the world that make food that people can eat!

So lets join together and make a positive step in saving our bees!!  For more information about the scheme and what flowers to use please see attached leaflet. bee friendly leaflet

Picturebee

BVA and RCVS statements on the outcome of the EU Referendum

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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.”

AVSPNI Summer Day 2016

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On a sunny Wednesday in Kilkeel, our AVSPNI summer day began!  Almost 50 vets arrived ready to enjoy a day of beer tasting, eating good food and of course an element of learning!  The day kicked off with a visit to Seascope research centre, which is Northern Irelands first ever Lobster and Marine Hatchery.  We were greeted by our guide, Sarah, who had an extensive and extremely interesting knowledge of lobsters and the Kilkeel marine life and who showed us the process of the hatchery and the development of this very new and informative way of hatching lobsters within a research setting.  We then proceeded up the Mourne mountains to visit Gavin from Whitewater breweries who showed us the stages of beer making and most importantly, let us taste the produce!  It must have been an enjoyable tasting as many vets purchased and packed crates of Belfast brew into their cars!  After a tipsy trail down the road towards Newcastle (for passengers at least) we then went to the Mourne Seafood Bar in Dundrum where Aurelie Moralis from sponsors, Zoetis, gave an interesting and informative presentation on “Critical success factors for timed AI in beef cows and heifers – using the correct breeding protocols.”  We finished an enjoyable day by having a delicious meal with lots of people inspired to eat lobster and drink craft beer in keeping with the theme!  It was definitely a day not to be missed and AVSPNI Council and President Cahir King extends its thanks to Zoetis for their generous support for this excellent Summer Day.

An update on Bluetongue

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Defra risk assessment indicates a high risk by late summer of a BTV incursion from France to GB.  Vets in GB welcome bluetongue vaccine announcements however DAERA have reminded VetNI that it is not permitted to import possess sell supply or use such vaccine in Northern Ireland.  Vets can also play a key role in discouraging farmers from importing from Bluetongue affected countries.

For more local information on BTV please click the link below:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/bluetongue

BVD Eradication Programme – PVP Update

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Please find below an update and key points for PVPs which have arisen recently.

Identifying blood samples:
The majority of blood samples received, related to the BVD Eradication programme, are inadequately labelled and without  supporting AHWNI paperwork which is negatively impacting on turnaround times. The full animal ID and the details of the submitting PVP MUST be provided  together with the appropriate submission form sent to the herdowner by AHWNI.
The PVP should clearly declare that the sample relates to the BVD Eradication Programme.

Retest Samples:
These should be collected 3-4 weeks after the initial ear tag sample as this will allow TI animals to become negative. These animals  should be strictly isolated from notification of an initial positive result pending the result of retest. PVPs are encouraged to also test dams of positive or inconclusive calves for BVDV. Movement of DAMPI animals is restricted . PVPS can choose a designated laboratory but should be aware that NOT all laboratories offer PCR testing which is essential on blood samples of calves<75 days old. Failure to test by PCR will lead to rejection of a result by the database and you will be charged by the laboratory.

Upload of other BVD test results to the AHWNI database:
Any BVD virus test results can be uploaded to the AHWNI database by a designated laboratory. They may require certain data permissions from the herd owner.  Assuming the animal is negative, the herd owner could create a negative declaration for the animal from within the AHWNI database. You will find further information regarding this process at the following links: https://www.afbini.gov.uk/articles/ni-bvd-eradication-programme
https://www.afbini.gov.uk/publications/afbi-data-release-form-bvd

AHWNI database Management:
If you are unsure of your practice login, contact [email protected]. which is also useful for viewing herd results and accessing submission forms or negative declarations.
If a herd owner wishes to change their veterinary practice, they must contact AHWNI directly.

AVSPNI Summer Day

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AVSPNI Summer Day – Lobsters and Beer

 Why not finish early and come along to the AVSPNI Summer Day for a tour of the Seascope lobster hatchery in Kilkeel, followed by some beer tasting and brewery tour at Whitewater brewing Co.  End the afternoon with a delicious meal at Mourne Seaford in Dundrum courtesy of our generous sponsors Zoetis.

Click here to view flyer and for details on how to register for this event.

lobster pic

Are you an AVI who certifies farm animals?

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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.