Cream of the crop: Devon cattle vet Andrew Biggs wins prestigious award

The Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal is presented each year to a member of BVA to mark and recognise work of outstanding merit which it is considered will encourage the advancement of veterinary science. Andrew developed his internationally-recognised expertise in mastitis, one of the most costly diseases affecting dairy cows, in the Devon mixed practice that he joined after graduating from the University of Liverpool in 1981 and where he is now a partner. Andrew’s tremendous depth of knowledge has led clinical practice and theory in preventing and treating the disease, from establishing the Devon practice’s mastitis laboratory that processes 1,500 mastitis samples monthly to international speaker events and consultancy on mastitis to both farmers and the pharmaceutical industry.

On learning that he had been awarded the Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal, Andrew, who practises in Tiverton, commented:

“Shocked, amazed, excited, humbled and then quietly proud. I have looked at the list of previous winners and that was scary - so many professors and recognisable names. I was even more proud when I saw my father had also received the award in 1973 around the time I was doing my O-levels.”

Andrew’s clinical expertise does not end with mastitis and his experience in bovine TB, both in clinical practice and as a Council member and Past President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, led to Andrew serving on the TB Eradication Group for England and the TB Programme Board for Wales as an advisor to the Welsh and English Governments.

Andrew’s clinical knowledge developed from hands-on work treating livestock and helping local farming clients in his Devon practice but his expertise inspires global veterinary audiences. A founding member of the European Mastitis Panel, Andrew is committed and active in passing on knowledge to the next generation of veterinary surgeons, teaching and lecturing internationally and acting as an external examiner for both undergraduates and postgraduates.

Awarding the Dalrymple-Champneys Cup and Medal for 2015, BVA President John Blackwell said:

“I cannot put it better than the member of the selection committee who described Andrew as ‘a spectacular practitioner’ … Andrew is a vet’s vet, combining veterinary science with the art of veterinary practice”.