New president elected for BVA NI branch and NIVA
Dr Verner has said she will be aiming for positive engagement with the newly restored Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland.
Sharon Verner has been elected as the new president of the Northern Ireland Branch of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA).
Stepping up from the role of junior vice-president for both associations, she replaces Esther Skelly-Smith, who will serve as senior vice-president for the coming year. Kirsten Dunbar has been elected as the new junior vice-president.
The officer team took up their new roles on Thursday, 22 February at the annual general meeting at the Dunadry Hotel and Gardens in Antrim.
A graduate of the University of Cambridge, Dr Verner has worked as manager of Animal Health and Welfare Northern Ireland’s bovine viral diarrhoea eradication programme for the last seven years. Her presidential theme will be ‘Thriving Together’.
Dr Verner said: “There have been plenty of challenges for Northern Ireland’s veterinary profession to overcome in recent years and many of these will continue during my year as president, such as finding a permanent solution to the long-standing, unresolved matter of ensuring continued access to veterinary medicines.
“I also look forward to supporting the veterinary profession in tackling other local issues such as controlling endemic diseases including bovine TB, lobbying for new animal health and welfare legislation including the need for regulation of farriers, and championing the role of the veterinary profession in the future farming policy and in sustainable agri-food production.
“I am excited to be stepping into this role and, with the support of my fellow officers, aiming for positive engagement with the newly restored Assembly and Executive in the coming months.”
Image © BVA
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. 
