Our structure

BVA Northern Ireland Branch

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, Kirsten Dunbar, and Regional Representative for Northern Ireland, Joleen Little.

Get in contact with Kirsten and Joleen to discuss the veterinary policy issues that matter to you. You can contact your representatives directly on NIpresident@bva.co.uk or northernireland@bva.co.uk. 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 policy@bva.co.uk

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 policy@bva.co.uk.

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 policy@bva.co.uk and they’ll be happy to help.

Northern Ireland Branch Officer Team

  • Kirsten Dunbar - President
  • Sharon Verner - Senior 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)
  • Iain Smith (AVSPNI)
  • Ruth Moreno (VPHA/ FSA NI)
  • Barry McInerney (Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute [AFBI] Veterinary Sciences Division)
  • Lauren Kee (AVS)
  • Stephanie Winslow (SVS)
  • Robert Huey (VPHA)
  • Philip Kennedy (FSA NI)

 

General BVA Northern Ireland Branch Council members:   

  • Rebecca Martin
  • Roisin Dickinson
  • Susan Cunningham
  • Fiona McFarland

Latest news from Northern Ireland