It's been a busy month! January started quite serenely but in February, things just took a different tack!
Clearly the most challenging issue to be involved with recently has been the issues surrounding the horsemeat scandal. This has encompassed questions relating to labelling in the human food chain, but more importantly to BEVA, it has put the equine industry and veterinary profession under the spotlight with regard to a broad range of subjects including medicines, passports, microchipping and the National Equine Database. We have taken intense media enquiries which has been handled well by all involved and has shown how effective the BEVA Chief Executive role can be in managing our team of officers and spokespersons. Although we are rarely inundated with so many calls from the media, it is important that all our officers have attended recent media training and that our office staff understand how to handle enquiries.
The LANTRA national occupation standards for EDTs were published this month, but excluding the Category-2 procedures. For me, this has been a frustrating process, but one which makes my even more determined to push for an exemption order for EDTs to try and finalise the issue for the sake of consumers, our colleagues in the BAEDT and of the course our patients! We have met Richard Drummond (deputy director of DEFRA) and the BVA regarding the minor procedures project board and how this may lead to an EO. We also considered approaching the AHWBE directly decided against that at this stage. We still do have the option of writing directly to DEFRA to pursue it, but we’ll take the project-board route in the meantime.
A meeting with the RCVS president and Tim Morris regarding firing/thermocautery was useful in getting a lie-of-the-land from the RCVS. We are having a meeting of proponents of the technique next month, to see if there’s a way forward.
In terms of medicines, Mark Bowen and I have written to Veterinary Record regarding the successful implementation of a new policy at EVJ on the use of protected antimicrobials as well as highlighting our guidance for members in the area of antimicrobial resistance.
I have used the presidency to raise the profile of BEVA in Scotland. This has been relatively simple given the lower population and direct access to government here. I have also met with Stuart Earley, CEO of the SSPCA and have joined the, newly established, Scottish Horse Racing Welfare Group, as a BEVA representative.
Having a fab time representing our membership. It's hard work but very rewarding and made easier by having a great team of committed people in our office and throughout our association.
Keith Chandler 21st February.
