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Winner of George Hedley Memorial Award revealed
“I was completely overwhelmed to hear that I had been nominated for this award – it will be a huge honour to receive it” – Fiona Lovatt.
Fiona Lovatt receives award for contribution to UK sheep industry.

Veterinary surgeon Fiona Lovatt is the recipient of this year’s National Sheep Association (NSA) George Hedley Memorial Award.

The award has been made in recognition of her contribution to the UK sheep industry and promotion of good practice principles.

Dr Lovatt is the founder of the Flock Health Club concept, which helps veterinary surgeons to engage with farmers about preventative measures and responsible medicine use. She also established the Farm Vet Champions scheme at RCVS Knowledge to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

As well as representing the sheep industry as a member of the RUMA Target Task Force, Dr Lovatt is a clinical associate professor at the University of Nottingham and a former president of the Sheep Veterinary Society.

The George Hedley Memorial Award has been awarded annually since 1960. Dr Lovatt will be formally presented with the award at the NSA Sheep Event dinner on 29 July, 2024.

NSA South East Region chair Yann Le Du, who nominated Dr Lovatt for the award, said: “The Flock Health Club concept has revolutionised sheep farmer and vet engagement. For this reason, amongst many others, Fiona is held in high esteem in the sheep industry and is fully justified in being awarded with this prestigious title.”

Dr Lovatt said: “I was completely overwhelmed to hear that I had been nominated for this award – it will be a huge honour to receive it.”

Image © National Sheep Association

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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.