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BEVA appoints new president for 2023-2024
David Rendle (left) is succeeded by Roger Smith (right) as president.
Roger Smith has taken over the role.

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has announced that Roger Smith has succeeded David Rendle as their new president.

Professor Roger Smith, a professor of equine orthopaedics at the Royal Veterinary College, took over the role following the BEVA Congress on 16 September.

Bruce Bladon has been named president-elect, and Imogen Burrows has taken the role of junior vice president.

Alongside his new title as president of the BEVA, Professor Smith is a diplomate of the European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as well as a large animal imaging associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging.

In 2016 he awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for meritorious contribution to knowledge, and in 2017 he was elected president of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons.

During his forthcoming year as BEVA president, Professor Smith has announced his intentions to build the BEVA’s international community, building upon his predecessor’s work with affiliate memberships.

Professor Smith has also voiced his concerns that having no requirement for veterinary students to ‘see practice’ will make it harder to showcase the career, and has raised his plans to increase recruitment and retention through the development of a career plan and complementary activities to encourage new veterinary surgeons.

His presidency will see him aim to empower equine nurses, giving them more involvement with patients in a move he says will alleviate the pressures from the current shortage of qualified equine veterinary surgeons.

He has also said that he plans to continue working on the BEVA’s CPD programme.

Professor Smith will remain president for a year, before the role is passed to president-elect Bruce Bladon.

Professor Smith said: “I am honoured to become BEVA president,

“While it is tough following on from some very effective presidents in the past, not least the outgoing president, David Rendle, I am really looking forward to spending time promoting BEVA’s activities, thanks to support from my work colleagues and the Royal Veterinary College.”

Nicola Housby-Skeggs, Helen Bickerton and Angela Jones join the BEVA council, with Kate Blakeman and Safia Barakzai also re-elected to council.

Image © @JasSansi

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.