Andrew Soldan, APHA Veterinary Director
Exploring The Role Of OVs In A Post-Brexit World - OV Conference Online: 28-30 September 2021
3 years ago 
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The role of Official Veterinarians (OVs) and the issues and challenges they face in a post-Brexit world will be discussed during this year’s OV Conference, which takes place online from 28-30 September. Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the annual conference, organised by Improve International, in association with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
This year’s speakers include BVA President James Russell; Ian Wright, Head of the European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites UK & Ireland and Dr Sam Holland, Veterinary Head of Exotics and Welfare. Simon Hall, former APHA Veterinary Director, now working as an export OV, will also share practical experience from his current role.
The OV Conference is the UK’s only event dedicated to the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of OVs. Focusing on their role as new processes and procedures start to bed down following Brexit, this year’s virtual event will offer 18 hours of CPD, including lectures and Q&A sessions from leading speakers. Delegates will be able to view recordings of all the sessions on-demand for six months following the conference.
Commenting, Sue Hay, Head of OV Training at Improve International, said: “During this year, the realities of our post-Brexit world have started to reveal themselves while we have endured another lockdown before finally starting to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the year, OVs have shown huge commitment in working through the eye of the storm. But, while there have been many challenges, there have also been areas of opportunity and the potential for positive change. We look forward to discussing all aspects of the OV’s role and where it’s headed following this extraordinary year during the 2021 OV Conference.”
Andrew Soldan, APHA Veterinary Director commented: “My experiences over the last year have made me even more proud to be part of the veterinary profession. The role of vets, especially Official Vets, has never been very prominent in our national life. The trust that is put in a veterinary signature is awesome. And yet, undertaking a TB test or signing an EHC are practical, visceral activities. Real decisions must be taken, and pragmatic choices made. The final decision has to be “Can I sign this certificate?” Can the owner, government or International trading partner have confidence that, to the best of my abilities, I have verified all the elements I am certifying?
“This is the essence of OV work. I hope that the OV conference will help you carry out this vital work to the best of your abilities.”
Early Bird tickets start from £120 + VAT with the outline programme and other information available at: https://officialvet.com/
About Improve International
One of the world’s leading veterinary training companies, Improve International was founded in 1998 by a group of like-minded vets and has since provided continuing education to more than 20,000 veterinary surgeons and nurses across 20 countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain, the USA, Australia and China.
The organisation pioneered modular CPD in the UK for veterinary professionals, combining review lectures, case-based discussion and hands-on practical sessions in their specialist wet-labs. Today, delegates can also choose from online and blended courses, covering a wide range of species and subjects.
Responsible for the delivery of the taught programmes, Improve International works closely with its awarding partner, the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS) and with Harper Adams University, which provides the higher education body validation and quality assurance.
Improve International was the first organisation to be awarded a contract from Defra in 2014, for the training and assurance of Official Veterinarians in the UK.
For more information and to explore the range of Improve International CPD courses, visit www.improveinternational.com
For further information:
Rebecca George, George PR
Tel: 01449 737281/07974 161108
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