Vets honoured for exceptional achievements
The awards recognise outstanding contributions to veterinary science and the profession.
Veterinary surgeons were recognised for outstanding contributions to veterinary science and the profession at this year’s BVA Members’ Day.
Professor David Morton CBE received the Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal for his research into the ethical consequences of our use of animals. It is the BVA’s most prestigious scientific award.
Bristol graduate Prof Morton published a paper in 1985 that was the first known attempt to promoted a structured assessment system for pain and distress in animals. It changed policy and practice in the UK, the EU and elsewhere, and the hypotheses are still used to develop strategies for assessing animal welfare today.
Prof Morton was also one of the first investigators to assess the adverse effects of euthanasia and anaesthetic agents in laboratory rodents, prompting a major debate on approaches to humane killing.
Mixed animal veterinary surgeon Ruth Layton received the Chiron Award in recognition of her achievements in driving forward farm animal welfare within the supply chains of some of the world’s most influential food brands, including McDonalds and Marks and Spencer. She co-developed the ‘3Es’ framework, which continues to shape the economic, ethical and environmental policies of food brands in sourcing sustainable livestock products.
Dr Karen Reed was recognised for her key role in the adoption of the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (OIE) global standards for working equine welfare by 180 member states last year, as well as building a coalition with other equine NGOs to help OIE member states to implement the standards. She received the Trevor Blackburn Award.
The Bleby Cup went to Shropshire farm vet Ally Anderson, for her outstanding contributions to the BVA Council. Meanwhile the Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sara Robson for her research on the assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards bovine brucellosis among small-scale dairy farm and abattoir workers in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
She also received a BVA overseas travel grant for her study of the epidemiology and public health impact of bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis in urban and peri-urban dairy production systems in and around Addis Ababa.
Dominic Clarke of the RVC received the other travel grant for his project on the arrowhead dogfish on Limasawa Island, Philippines.
Dr Mira Korpivaara and colleagues were awarded the Veterinary Record Impact Award, for their research showing that oromucosal dexmedetomidine gel alleviates noise-associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs.
The Veterinary Record Evidence Award was given to the REACT Now to Beat Colic campaign, which is run by the British Horse Society. It educates horse owners about the early signs of colic and encourages them to have a plan in place if their horse becomes critically ill.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
