Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Silver sustainability award for BEVA
The BEVA sustainability working group is made up of working equine vets.
Accreditation from iiE celebrates environmentally-friendly progress.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has achieved Investors in the Environment's (iiE) silver level accreditation.

Beginning its sustainability journey in 2020, BEVA has put measures in place to reduce its environmental impact, including monthly monitoring of key resources and updating and expanding its environmental policy.

BEVA has also introduced a carbon footprint calculator, a sustainable travel policy, and a sustainability working group for members. 

Chief executive of BEVA, David Mountford, said: “We are immensely proud to have made it to our Silver award, just two years after our Bronze accreditation.

“Our very credible score of 78 per cent demonstrates our ongoing performance towards agreed environment targets and our total commitment to ensuring we operate in a sustainable way.”

Over the past year, BEVA has reduced its carbon footprint by 25 per cent, its electricity usage by 11 per cent and its gas usage by 46 per cent.

The association is focussing on sustainability for the upcoming BEVA Congress (13-16 September), with paperless registration and working with the venue to ensure sustainability.

Sustainability project lead at BEVA, Rebecca Radley, said: “As a team we are really pleased that our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment have been recognised with our achievement of the iiE Silver award. 

“We will continue to work towards further reducing our carbon footprint with the aim of achieving iiE’s Green accreditation in the future.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.