1. Introduction Following a decrease in the number of reported outbreaks of Equine Influenza in the United Kingdom and Europe, the BHA Veterinary Committee have agreed to further relax the requirements for all horses on Racecourse Property. This includes runners from non-Licensed yards (ARO, Hunter Chasers and PRA), non-GB runners (including France and Ireland) and other horses on racecourses (for example RoR). The BHA Veterinary Committee will continue to monitor any future reports of outbreaks of Equine Influenza, and our position may change at any time should there be an increase in the number of outbreaks reported. The BHA would like to once again convey huge thanks to all participants who have worked so hard to ensure that the recent requirements have been met. Your efforts have been appreciated by the entire industry. 2. Summary of Requirements from 17 September 2019 All horses on racecourse property • Compliant EI vaccination within NINE calendar months* (eight months plus a one-month grac ...

Stan Cosgrove, a Past President of BEVA, has died aged 91.   Stan was an internationally respected equine vet who pioneered colic surgery and bone repair in his native Ireland and became known to the wider world in the aftermath of the kidnapping of the great dual Derby winner Shergar, in which he had a share.  Obituary to follow.

Jenny Mumford sadly passed away at the weekend. Jenny was a highly respected and influential leader in the field of equine infectious disease. She was the Director of the Centre for Preventive Medicine at the AHT for many years and led the development of many of the research programmes within it.  She was an inspirational person who led a great team in a cheerful and charming manner, and launched many careers of young vets and scientists in that field. We understand that at a memorial service may be held in Cambridge - we will advise on details as they become available.

Tim Mair, internal medicine and equine surgery specialist at the Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic and editor of EVE has been appointed as President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for 2019/20. He takes over the role from Renate Weller at the end of BEVA Congress 11-14 September 2019. Lucy Grieve, of Rossdales Veterinary Surgeons becomes President Elect. Tim graduated from the University of Bristol in 1980. After working in mixed practice for three years, he returned to Bristol to undertake research in equine immunology and respiratory disease as a Horserace Betting Levy Board research training scholar. He was awarded a PhD in 1986 and was then appointed as a Wellcome Trust lecturer in equine medicine. After leaving Bristol in 1989 he worked in mixed practice before joining Bell Equine in 1993, becoming a partner in 1995. He led the hospital services at Bell Equine, as well as supervising the practice’s residency, intern and extern programmes, until it was purchased by CVS in 2016. He c ...

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is today (13 September 2019) publishing further details about its plans for a wide-ranging review of its guidance to the veterinary professions on ‘under care’ and out-of-hours emergency cover, including a broad timetable for the review’s three key phases of evidence gathering, policy drafting, and public consultation. The review, announced earlier this year, was recommended to RCVS Council by its Standards Committee following its lengthy and detailed exploration of the implications of new technologies for both animal health and welfare and veterinary regulation. The main areas under consideration include the provision of 24-hour emergency cover and the interpretation and application of an animal being under the care of a veterinary surgeon. The initial stages of this review had been drafted for Standards Committee to consider at its meeting on 9 September, where the outline timetable was also discussed. Commenting on its significance, Standa ...

BEVA Trust volunteers are continuing to show their passion for horse welfare. They have helped to make a difference to 1196 horses in the UK over the past four years, as well as hundreds of horses around the world.  The BEVA Trust provides opportunities, support and funding to allow BEVA members to volunteer for projects that enhance equine welfare both locally and globally. The BEVA Trust and British Horse Society have worked together for the past four years and in this time have run 25 education and welfare castration clinics around the country. So far 181 BEVA members, together with nurses, students, and farriers have volunteered their time and expertise to help a total of 1196 horses. Coordinated by the British Horse Society, and with practical support from a number of other equine welfare charities, the clinics provide dental care, farriery, worming, microchipping and passporting for horses identified to be in need, as well as castration if required. A total of 547 horses have now been castrated. ...

Three outstanding exhibitors at this year’s British Equine Veterinary Association Congress (11 -14 September 2019) were given special awards for their creative use of stand space. BEVA delegates voted for the winners of the competition, which was sponsored by Veterinary Practice magazine. Delegates voted via the BEVA App, identifying exhibitors who showcased their brand with flair and imagination within an inviting environment. Boehringer Ingelheim won the Veterinary Practice Best Large Stand Award for their fun, interactive Boehringer Ingelheim Derby stand which gave delegates the chance to compete on horse racing simulators. Pete Holland UK and Ireland Sale Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim said: “We are having a great time at BEVA this year and have enjoyed spending fun time on the stand with all of our customers and we are delighted to have won this award.” The Donkey Sanctuary won the Veterinary Practice Best Shell Scheme Stand Award for their colourful use of space and display of edu ...

BEVA presented Awards to some of the brightest and best in equine veterinary medicine at BEVA Congress on Thursday 12 September 2019. Seven Awards were presented in total, all established by BEVA, in conjunction with various sponsors, to reflect BEVA’s recognition of and support for significant accomplishments by equine vets and others involved in horse health and welfare. The BEVA Equine Welfare Award sponsored by Blue Cross was awarded to Dr Suzanne Green for her tireless veterinary work to improve equine welfare. Initially finding her passion for welfare as a routine vet at equine charity World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm in Somerset, Suzanne went on to work with the RSPCA’s ambulatory services. The importance of making a prosecution count led her to complete training as an expert witness and she is currently training for a master’s in forensic veterinary science. Suzanne continues to work with Bransby Horses, World Horse Welfare, The Donkey Sanctuary and more recently with the ...

The Animal Health Trust (AHT) is joining BEVA at Congress for a big 15th birthday party this year. The two organisations are celebrating the longevity and success of their collaboration with Defra to produce the Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Reports. The AHT is joining BEVA in the members lounge for the duration of Congress, to showcase their work. In addition, BEVA has today presented the AHT with a certificate of appreciation for all their hard work to keep the equine veterinary profession fully informed about disease status. The Equine Quarterly Disease Surveillance Reports collate equine disease data arising from multiple diagnostic laboratories and veterinary practices throughout the United Kingdom. This provides an exceptional insight into equine disease occurrence on a national scale. It is produced by the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Animal Health Trust (AHT) ...

BEVA has organised a survey to find out more about antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance in equine veterinary practice. Launched at BEVA Congress on Thursday 12th September 2019 the survey is directed at all veterinary surgeon members and gives participants the chance to enter a free prize draw to win £500 of BEVA CPD vouchers. Antibiotic resistance is increasing throughout human and veterinary medicine. At the same time there are very few new antibiotics being produced. This means that there is an increasing population of "superbugs" which are resistant to many or all antibiotics and in some cases cannot be treated successfully. While antimicrobials remain essential for the health and welfare of horses suffering from bacterial infections it’s imperative for vets to protect their usage to maintain their effectiveness for the future. The survey has been designed by Amie Wilson and Dr Gina Pinchbeck at the University of Liverpool and Tim Mair the incoming President of BEVA. The intention ...