Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA)
Close links are maintained with the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, an organisation which provides an excellent support network for veterinary associations and the profession as a whole. The Overseas Group works closely with CVA in the provision of aid and advice to colleagues and associations in poorer parts of the world and the BVA provides support and representation on the CVA.
Being part of the UK/Mediterranean Region of the CVA, Britain also plays an important pivotal role because both the Commonwealth Foundation and Commonwealth Secretariat are based in London. The UK Councillor, Professor John E Cooper FRCVS, keeps in close contact with the other members of the Region - Malta, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands.
Delegates from over 50 countries attended the highly successful 4th Pan Commonwealth Veterinary Conference entitled 'Animal Health and Welfare: Constant Challenges for Veterinarians' in Barbados at the beginning of November 2007. The proceedings from this meeting are now available at:
http://commonwealthvetassoc.org/PCVC-4%20Proceedings.pdf
The last UK/Mediterranean Regional Meeting was held in Cyprus in June 2002, the theme being 'The Changing Face of Animal Diseases'. Cypriot colleagues hosted veterinarians from ten countries - The Gambia, Kenya, Mauritius, India, Australia, Fiji, Canada, the Falkland Islands, Italy and the UK. It was the first time a CVA meeting had been held on the island. The first two days of the meeting, which took place in Nicosia, comprised lectures and discussion on topics relevant to the theme - that is, the changing face of animal diseases and how this may be influenced by such factors as climate change, liberalisation of trade, illegal movements of domestic animals and their products and by migrating birds. In a session on "emerging infections", the particular risks posed to Europe and other areas by, for example West Nile disease and bluetongue, were explored.
Plans are underway for Malta to host the next UK/Mediterranean Regional Meeting in late 2008 or early 2009. Watch this space!
The current President of the CVA is Dr Richard Suu-Ire (Ghana) who was elected on January 1, 2008, taking over from Dr Robin Yarrow (Fiji). Richard will serve a four–year term in office.
Further information about the work of the CVA is available through Karen Reed, CVA Councillor (e-mail karen@spana.org) or Helena Cotton at BVA (e-mail: helenac@bva.co.uk). Copies of the latest edition of the Journal of the CVA are also available from Helena.
Click here to visit the CVA website