BVA Live 2025 programme line-up unveiled

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has unveiled its programme for BVA Live 2025, which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham on 12-13 June, with an exciting line-up of veterinary speakers, panellists and experts who will share their perspectives and expertise across a range of clinical and non-clinical topics.

BVA Live is a unique, interactive event that offers two days of stimulating CPD and the chance for vet teams to connect with fellow professionals and have their say on the issues that matter. This year’s debates will have a particular focus on reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the impact of the Competition and Markets Authority investigation (CMA) into the vet sector.

Programme highlights include:

• Shaping the future: Reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act and its impact: UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss, BVA President Liz Mullineaux, RCVS CEO Lizzie Lockett and BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes will explore how the process for reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act would take place and what this would mean for animal welfare, professional standards, and the future of the industry. 
• Where is the UK on bTB control?: All four UK chief veterinary officers- Christine Middlemiss, Sheila Voas, Richard Irvine and Brian Dooher- will explore the current bovine TB situation across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and the challenges of achieving eradication across the whole of the UK.
• Preparing for Change: The CMA Investigation, where we are and possible implications for the profession: Pennard Vets Director Caroline Collins, BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes, Vets for Pets Veterinary Services Director Samantha Butler-Davies and Scott Veterinary Clinic director Vicki Farbon will discuss the latest updates from the CMA investigation and what they mean for the profession.
• Leadership: why knowing yourself as a leader matters: Executive Coach Clive Elwood, Fiona Leathers RVN, Helen Silver-MacMahon Co-founder and director Being-Human Consulting, and Westpoint Farm Vets clinical director Ami Sawran, will be in conversation to explore the crucial role of self-awareness in effective leadership.

Apart from topical debates, there will also be a packed line-up of sessions featuring small animal, equine and farm clinical content, allowing accessible CPD for vets at every stage of their careers and covering a wide range of specialisms. Highlights from the clinical streams include small mammal anaesthesia, behavioural first aid, wearable tech in the equine world, BOAS assessment, antibiotic use in exotics and preventative pet poultry medicine, among others. This year we are also broadening the range of sessions on offer, bringing you topics such as the British Bee Vet Association’s talk on ‘Catastrophic diseases of Honeybees…the Foulbroods’ and the British Veterinary Camelid Society’s session on alpaca and llama patients, ‘Don't be allama'd! Triaging the emergency camelid case’.  

British Veterinary Association President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: 

“This has been another challenging year for the profession, with the ongoing investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority focusing increased attention on the urgent need for reform of the outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act. BVA Live will be a platform for thought-provoking discussions on these and other big issues facing the sector, alongside an opportunity to invest in your professional development and network with peers. I look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham in June.”

Alongside the BVNA Nursing stream, the BVA Interactive Zone also returns to BVA Live, with BVA Officers - President Liz Mullineaux, Senior Vice President Anna Judson and Junior Vice President Rob Williams - leading debates on hot topics that dig into ethical dilemmas and explore contentious issues for the vet profession.

The full BVA Live programme is available on the website. 

BVA Live educational bursaries

In line with BVA’s commitment to widening access to CPD, BVA members have the opportunity to secure fully funded educational bursaries. These are open to all members at all stages of their career. Applications for a bursary can be made online or by calling 02476 719 687.