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Sheep Veterinary Society appoints new president
From left to right, Joe Henry, Kim Hamer and Phillipa Page.

Kim Hamer takes over the role from Joe Henry.

Veterinary surgeon and academic clinician Kim Hamer has been appointed president of the Sheep Veterinary Society at its Autumn conference.

Kim succeeds Joe Henry, who has become senior vice president following the retirement of David Wilson from the committee. Farm veterinary surgeon Phillipa Page joins the officials as junior vice president.

Raised on the Welsh Borders in a farming and veterinary family, Kim is passionate about disease prevention, supporting farms and teaching students. Her work at the School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow sees her involved in research and supervising residents at the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management.

Kim has extensive experience working in clinical practice, including eight years in mixed practice in the Welsh/English Borders, focusing on farm animal medicine and sheep preventative health.  She spent two years at the Farm Animal Practice at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, during which she co-authored Sheep Keeping as part of The Professional Smallholders Series with Phillipa Page. She is currently undertaking a PhD in veterinary ecology.

Kim's research encompasses a wide array of topics related to sheep health, including sheep parasitology, micro-mineral nutrition, and neurology. Currently, she is focused on antibiotic use in remote rural settings and exploring how a digital diagnostic decision-support tool could help improve clinical outcomes for sheep and goats in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The Sheep Veterinary Society brings together all those interested in the welfare and production of sheep, including vets, flock owners and advisors from across the UK, Europe and the world. Members of the Society and Committee are actively engaged in various groups and initiatives, contributing to ideas and policies that will directly influence the future of the sheep farming industry. 

The Autumn Sheep Veterinary conference took place in Morpeth, Northumberland, 23-25 September. 

Image (C) Sheep Veterinary Society.

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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.