Veterinary Ireland Calls for Close Collaborative Partnership with Newly Elected Government Ministers and Officicals

New Veterinary Ireland President from Co. Cork

In addition to caring for the health and welfare of animals, Irish veterinarians play a core and critical role in protecting the quality and safety of much of our food chain, protecting the food we eat or export every day, said Finbarr Murphy, Chief Executive, Veterinary Ireland. He was speaking in Trim, Co. Meath at the Annual Conference and AGM for the professional body for Irish veterinarians (22nd November 2024).

Finbarr Murphy called on those who are elected to the new Government and their officials, to work in close collaborative partnership with Veterinary Ireland on changes in areas of the food chain where the clinical, scientific or biosecurity expertise of veterinarians can be pivotal; or where veterinarians will need to spend more time and resources gathering essential data.

“We all recognise the importance of managing issues such as antimicrobial resistance in order to protect the use of these medicines for when they are really needed in both human and animal health. I am proud to say that Irish veterinarians have played a significant role in helping to reduce the overall use of antibiotics based on their clinical expertise and prescribing.”

Finbarr Murphy pointed to the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS), a new national database due to come into effect on 13th January 2025 which will record key information related to the prescription and dispensing of veterinary medicines.

“The database behind the new National Veterinary Prescription System can provide further valuable information for all stakeholders - but it will also be an administrative burden for Irish veterinarians in terms of the demand on time and extra resources that will be needed. The planning around this needs a collaborative approach.”

SUSTAINABILITY IN VETERINARY PRACTICE IS CRITICAL

The new President of Veterinary Ireland is Jane Pigott BVMBVS CertAVP(VC) MSc MRCVS. Speaking in Trim, Jane Pigott highlighted sustainability in veterinary practice as a critical issue, particularly for rural mixed practices. “The financial and operational challenges of maintaining 24-hour emergency cover while ensuring a work-life balance are pressing concerns,” she explained.

With changes to 24-hour care dynamics anticipated due to the Medicines SI, Jane Pigott pledged to explore avenues of support for practices to ensure their viability. “We must safeguard the future of veterinary care, particularly in rural areas, and support our colleagues in navigating these challenges,” she said.

“Veterinary Ireland stands with our members and the wider veterinary community, sharing the joys as well as the challenges of practice life,” she stated.

Jane Pigott also reaffirmed Veterinary Ireland’s commitment to providing high-quality Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) to meet the needs of today’s vets while preparing for the future.

Jane Pigott, an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Veterinary Cardiology based in Flow Veterinary Cardiology in Millstreet, Co. Cork was presented with the formal chain of office by outgoing President, Hazell Mullins BVM BVS PgCert ACP at the Conference and AGM in Trim.

Reflecting on the past year Hazell Mullins agreed that Continuing Veterinary Education (CVE) continued to be a cornerstone of Veterinary Ireland and that the Vet24 event in Killarney attracted over 300 delegates, with a positive energy that was palpable.

“One of my key goals was to encourage younger members to actively participate in Veterinary Ireland’s committees to help secure a vibrant future for the organisation. The first-ever two-day New Graduate Conference, "Elevate Your Early Career," took place in Horse and Jockey in September.

Another highlight of the year was the “One Health, One Welfare” conference, held in Tullamore, an initiative led by Past President Paul McDermott. This thought-provoking event delved into the non-clinical aspects of the profession, emphasising the critical role veterinarians play in the One Health concept.

“It is this kind of "big thinking" approach to Veterinary that will drive the growth and evolution of our profession in the years to come,” said Hazell Mullins.

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS

“Challenging although it will be, the production of beef and dairy products will evolve to meet the lower emission requirements stipulated by regulators and demanded by increasingly environmentally conscious consumers across the globe,” said Dr. David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing at the Imperial College London, speaking at the Veterinary Ireland Conference and AGM.

“As nations via the UN, we have already made firm promises about the road we will travel towards carbon net zero. European retailers are on board introducing “enviro-score” traffic light signals to advise shoppers if meat and dairy products are a red or green signal. Livestock industries recognise that they will need a plan, and the private sector is “on board”, with lower emission milk and meat products appearing on retail shelves.”

The conference’s morning scientific session also featured Dr J.G. Beechinor, Director of Veterinary Sciences at HPRA (Health Products Regulatory Authority); Caroline Garvan, One Health, Veterinary Medicines, Antimicrobial Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and Laura Cuddy specialist in Small Animal Surgery and Canine Sports Medicine.

During the afternoon speakers included James Madden, County Veterinary Officer, Leitrim County Council; Laura Mulligan, Dog Warden with Mayo County Council and Rita Gately, Food Regulatory Affairs, VPH.