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BVA marks 10 years of Voice survey
“I see the value and impact of the survey responses daily as a BVA officer” – Anna Judson.
The data helps the association with its lobbying and engagement work.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is celebrating ten years of its Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey.

The BVA launched the survey in 2014 to allow members to have their say about the topics affecting the profession and share their experiences. The responses help to shape the BVA’s work and provide data that the association can share when campaigning or raising awareness about veterinary issues.

In the ten years since it began, the survey has gathered data from veterinary surgeons concerning a wide range of major issues, including antimicrobial resistance, health issues in brachycephalic dogs, and ear cropping.

In 2018, responses from the survey helped highlight issues around staff retention when the BVA produced a report on the topic with the University of Exeter. The survey also played a crucial role in providing information about abusive behaviour towards veterinary teams for the BVA’s #RespectYourVetTeam campaign in 2020.

Since 2014, the veterinary profession has had to respond to a number of events that have had the potential to change the sector. The survey allowed veterinary surgeons to have their say about the outcome of the Brexit referendum in 2016 and the Competition and Markets Authority’s review this year.

Anna Judson, BVA president, said: “I see the value and impact of the survey responses daily as a BVA officer, and regularly refer to the statistics in media and wider lobbying and engagement work.

“From concerns around disease risk and animal welfare, through to veterinary workplace culture and workforce retention issues, Voice continues to deliver insightful data, raising the profile of vets and their work in media; driving legislative reform; and shaping the profession.”

New surveys are sent out three or four times a year. This year's spring survey closes at 10am on Monday, 29 April.

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.