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RCVS Council elects new junior vice-president
Tim Parkin will take up the role in July.
New office holder says “change cannot come soon enough”.

Tim Parkin, head of the University of Bristol Veterinary School and a professor of veterinary epidemiology, has been elected as the new junior vice-president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

He was elected during the March meeting of RCVS Council, held at the Royal College of Nursing in London.

During the same meeting, the previous junior vice-president, Linda Belton, was appointed RCVS president for 2024-25. Sue Paterson will serve as senior vice-president. All three will take up their new positions at the College’s Annual General Meeting on 5 July 2024.

Prof Parkin holds degrees from the University of Bristol in Zoology and Veterinary Science, and has completed a PHD at the University of Liverpool on the epidemiology of fractures in racehorses.

Before working at the University of Bristol, he worked at the Animal Health Trust and the University of Glasgow. Since 2021, he has been a Veterinary Schools Council-appointed member of RCVS Council.

Prof Parkin said: “I would like to humbly thank my colleagues on RCVS Council for electing me to this role, it is a great honour.

“As a passionate advocate for veterinary education, one of my driving goals is ensuring that in 20 years’ time we will have veterinary professions that are more fit for purpose, working with a more recent Veterinary Surgeons Act and a make-up that is significantly more diverse and reflective of the society we serve.

“The discussions we’ve had at Council have reinforced in me the importance of change, and that change cannot come soon enough. Legislative reform which is clearly more required and hopefully closer than ever before; developing new, fulfilling career pathways to help with colleague retention and workforce shortages; and expanding and enhancing the ‘Team Vet’ ethos are areas I am looking forward to contributing to over the next three years.

“As the saying goes - the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, but the second best time is today.”

Image © RCVS

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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.