Left to right: Ian Wright, Head of ESCCAP, who spoke at the conference on tick-borne diseases Lisa Girdwood, a delegate from West Mount Vets and Professor Nigel Gibbens.
Chief Veterinary Officer Highlights OV Welfare Role During Conference Address
9 years ago 
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The importance of the Official Veterinarian (OV) in safeguarding animal welfare and sharing best practice was highlighted in the address made by Nigel Gibbens, Chief Veterinary Officer, at the annual OV Conference, which took place on 29 and 30 September 2016.
Professor Gibbens reminded delegates that the need to ensure animal welfare underpins the majority of the work they undertake and suggested that, in the light of global challenges associated with rising populations and climate change, the balance between food production, animal disease and animal welfare was an increasingly important issue for all stakeholders with veterinary surgeons having a vital role to play.
Professor Gibbens made the remarks as part of his keynote address at the 2016 Official Veterinarian Conference which, this year, took animal welfare and the role of the OV as its overall theme. Attended by more than 200 OVs, it featured lectures and discussions on large animal and small animal topics, including the threat from exotic ticks; pitfalls around certification and current thinking on Bovine Tuberculosis.
A collaboration between Improve International, which handles OV registration and training in England, Scotland and Wales; 5m Publishing and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the annual conference aims to provide a forum to discuss the latest developments in OV work and to offer an opportunity for OVs to network and share experiences and ideas.
Commenting on the conference, David Babington, Managing Director of Improve International, said: “Talking to delegates during the two days, I was particularly impressed with the level of enthusiasm they showed. It was clear that they really did want to hear the latest thinking from the experts and to put their new knowledge into practice. The exhibition of products and services of relevance to OVs was also very well-supported. We are delighted at the positive feedback we have received from speakers, delegates and exhibitors and are making plans for the 2017 event which we will announce in due course.”
For more information visit: www.officialvet.com
Notes to editors:
OV training is developed by Improve International, a veterinary CPD specialist, in conjunction with its assessment partner the European School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ESVPS) and Harper Adams University, which validates the qualifications. Improve was appointed to handle OV registration and training in England, Scotland and Wales by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in 2014.
It has launched 11 separate OCQ(V)s covering a variety of topics important for OVs, including introductory modules which form the foundation for the rest of the courses. Individuals or employers fund their own OV training but benefit from the fact that they can access the majority of course content 24/7 online at a convenient time and without having to be absent from the practice. More information is available at www.improve-ov.com.
Improve International is one of the UK’s leading veterinary training companies with an 18 year track record in providing structured continuing professional development (CPD) for veterinary professionals. Part of Benchmark Holdings Plc and based in Swindon, Improve provides high quality CPD in a range of formats for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, receptionists and practice managers to help them to develop their skills and knowledge, using a combination of review lectures, case-based discussion and where, applicable, hands-on practical sessions.
18 October 2016
For further information:
Rebecca George, George PR
Tel: 01449 737281/07974 161108
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