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BVA Welsh Branch

BVA Welsh Branch AGM and Junior Vice President elections

Our Welsh Branch AGM will be held on Tuesday 24 June 2025 in Cardiff. All Welsh members are welcome to attend. Further details on how to attend will be confirmed nearer the time.

At the AGM we will be looking for a new BVA Welsh Branch Junior Vice President, as current JVP Phoebe McCarter takes over from Gwen Rees as BVA Welsh Branch President. The successful applicant will become Branch President in 2027. If you or someone you know believe you have what it takes to champion the views of BVA Welsh branch members, take a look at the President’s role description and get in touch to register your interest.

Closing 10 June. 

 

BVA Welsh Branch represents our members in Wales. It brings together representatives of our specialist  divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Wales to address the veterinary issues and represent the interests of BVA members in Wales.

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What does BVA Welsh Branch do?

We champion the interests of the veterinary profession in Wales; promote BVA in Wales; and gather consensus views of BVA members in Wales to feed into BVA policy and campaigns.

We provide a strong voice for vets in Wales on issues from recruitment and retention to animal health and welfare. We regularly engage with the Welsh Government, the National Farmers Union and the Farmers Union of Wales, and Welsh animal welfare organisations to advocate for our members’ views and interests.

We also work with partners, including specialist divisions, to promote meetings and events of relevance to our members, and CPD provided by the specialist divisions.

How can I get involved?

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

Feed in your views to BVA Council

Your two Wales representatives on BVA Council are Welsh Branch President Gwen Rees and Regional Representative for Wales James Taylor. Get in touch with Gwen and James to discuss the veterinary policy issues that matter to you. You can do this via email or catch up with them in person 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 Wales and the UK. Check what consultations we’re responding to and feed in your views to [email protected].

Apply to be on Welsh Branch Council

Each year we seek new members for our Welsh 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]. 

Read about our recent events

BVA Welsh Branch recently held its AGM and Annual dinner. Read about the events in our press release and in James Taylor’s blog post. Also read Collin Willson’s blog post for a summary of some key activities over the past 2 years

Meet up and socialise at our members engagement events

It’s not all about work! Keep an eye out for invitations to upcoming member events and CPD sessions.

Updates direct to your inbox

Keep an eye out for your twice yearly e-news round-up to stay up to date with BVA Welsh branch activity and upcoming events.

Welsh Branch Officer Team

 

Welsh Branch Council

Welsh Branch Council regularly discusses veterinary issues, as they relate to Wales, to reach a consensus view on those issues, which is fed into BVA to assist in formulating policy. All specialist divisions have the opportunity to attend Welsh Branch Council. If your division is not currently represented and would like to attend, please contact [email protected].

  • Tricia Sutton (SVS)
  • Mike Jessop (VPHA)
  • Kate Hovers (AWF)
  • Darrell Abernethy (Aberystwyth Faculty of Veterinary Medicine)
  • Iwan Williams (APHA)
  • Jim Hopkins (Wales Veterinary Science Centre)
  • Sarah Carr (Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group)
  • Samantha Morgan-Hourd (BVNA)
  • Phillip Thomas  (Council Member)
  • Sara Pedersen (Council Member)
  • Hannah Hunt (Council Member)
  • Gosia Siwonia (Council Member)
  • Morley Jones (Council Member)
  • Ifan Lloyd (Council Member and Wales Representative on Policy Committee)

More information about the Welsh Branch

To learn more about the work of the Welsh Branch, including meeting papers and consultation responses, please contact [email protected]

BVA Welsh Branch is also represented on the following stakeholder groups:

Sustainable Farming Scheme Working Group

 

News in Wales