Conference Aims to Highlight OV Role and Tackle Key Issues

Alexandra House, Swindon: 19-20 September 2018

Official Veterinarians are being urged to sign up for this year’s OV Conference, themed  'Controlling Disease Threats at Home and from Abroad.’ Now in its fourth year, the Conference provides a unique forum in which to discuss the latest developments in OV work.

At this year’s event, speakers will highlight topical issues in sessions including ‘Backyard pigs – Notifiable Diseases and Zoonosis’. Other sessions include a discussion on the role of paraprofessionals in the sector led by Simon Hall, APHA’s Director for EU Exit and Trade. Drop-in Q&A sessions, workshops offering practical advice and guidance on the revalidation process and a strong focus on the Cymorth TB programme in Wales also feature in the programme.

The OV Conference is organised by Improve International, which handles OV registration and training in England, Scotland and Wales and 5m Publishing in association with APHA. The conference programme includes dedicated lecture streams aimed at large animal, small animal and equine practitioners and, with more than 8,000 OVs due to revalidate their qualifications in March 2019, lecture content has been tailored to cover areas of key relevance for them. An exhibition of products and services for OV’s runs alongside the conference.

Commenting on the conference, APHA’s recently appointed Veterinary Director, Dr Andrew Soldan, said: “UK vets play a vital role in safeguarding animal health and welfare and protecting our country from the risks of both endemic and exotic disease.

“Having recently taken on the role of Veterinary Director for APHA, I am very much looking forward to meeting up with our OV’s and exploring some of the key challenges facing us all, as we seek to control animal disease threats at home and from abroad.”

Mr David Babington MRCVS, Business Development Director at Improve International, said: “This conference has established itself as an annual fixture in the OV diary and it remains the only event dedicated to their needs. This year’s packed programme will again highlight the growing importance of OV’s, particularly as we look ahead to the post-Brexit era.”

For more information on the Official Veterinarian Conference and Exhibition or to register visit: www.officialvet.com