BVA - BVA Northern Ireland Branch

BVA Northern Ireland Branch

BVA Northern Ireland Branch exists to represent members in Northern Ireland. It brings together representatives of our specialist divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Northern Ireland.

What does BVA Northern Ireland Branch do?

We champion the veterinary profession in Northern Ireland. We provide BVA with the consensus view of members in Northern Ireland to shape BVA policy development and advise BVA working groups on pertinent Northern Ireland-specific issues. We also work closely with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland to safeguard animal health and welfare.

We regularly engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly on a wide range of issues to provide a strong voice for vets – from recruitment and retention in the veterinary profession to a breadth of animal health and welfare issues. We also work with stakeholders and specialist divisions to promote meetings and events that are of interest to our members.

Download the BVA Northern Ireland Branch Constitution

How can I get involved?

If you're a BVA member living in Northern Ireland, you'll automatically be a member of BVA Northern Ireland Branch. Here’s how you can get involved:

Feed in your views to BVA Council

Your two Northern Ireland representatives on BVA Council are Northern Ireland Branch President, Sharon Verner, and Regional Representative for Northern Ireland, Joleen Little.

Get in contact with Sharon and Joleen to discuss the veterinary policy issues that matter to you. You can contact your representatives directly on [email protected] or [email protected]. Alternatively, feel free to have a chat with them in person if you see them at events.

Shape consultation responses

We regularly respond to Government and stakeholder consultations on a range of BVA’s priority policy areas and campaigning issues in Northern Ireland and the UK. Check what consultations we’re responding to and feed in your thoughts via [email protected]

Apply to be on BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council

Each year we seek new members for our Northern Ireland Branch Council, usually during the summer. You can find out about our vacancies online, if there are no current opportunities you can still express your interest by emailing [email protected].

Updates direct to your inbox

Keep an eye out for your bi-annual e-news round up to stay up to date with BVA Northern Ireland Branch activity and upcoming events.

Contact BVA HQ

Want more information about BVA Northern Ireland Branch or to access meeting papers and consultation responses? Drop our Secretariat a line on [email protected] and they’ll be happy to help.

Northern Ireland Branch Officer Team

Sharon Verner - President
Esther Skelly-Smith – Senior Vice President
Kirsten Dunbar - Junior Vice President
Mark Little - Honorary Secretary

BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council

BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council meets twice a year to discuss veterinary policy issues and arrive at a consensus opinion to feed into BVA policy development.

Sharon Verner (President)
Kirsten Dunbar (Junior Vice President)
Esther Skelly-Smith (Senior Vice President)
Rachel Davies (Recent graduate/ YVN representative)
Joleen Little (Regional representative on BVA Council)
David Torrens (BVA Policy Committee)
Aurelie Moralis (NIVA)
Seamus O’Kane (AVSPNI)

Ruth Moreno (VPHA/ FSA NI)
Barry McInerney (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute [AFBI] Veterinary Sciences Division)
Lauren Kee (AVS)
Stephanie Winslow (SVS)
General BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council members
Rebecca Martin
Roisin Dickinson
Susan Cunningham