HallMark Shares Insights from VPHA & AGV Conference 2024
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services is pleased to share our experiences from the VPHA & AGV Conference 2024, held at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham. This year's theme, "Motivations and Motivators," provided a platform for important discussions in veterinary public health.
Friday Proceedings
The event started on Friday with student-led roundtable discussions, which were praised for being insightful and engaging.
The evening continued with a dinner reception, where industry colleagues could reconnect. The dinner was an opportunity to celebrate veterinary camaraderie, featuring speeches from the VPHA and AGV presidents, including a toast by Gavin Morris to veterinary friendship. The event brought together veterinarians from 19 countries, enhancing the collaborative spirit.
Saturday’s Insightful Sessions
Saturday was filled with impactful presentations on various aspects of veterinary public health. The discussions addressed topics such as ethical considerations, interdisciplinary cooperation, and innovative advancements:
Colin Wilson shared insights on ethical considerations and practical approaches to enhance animal welfare in his talk, "Motivators to improve welfare around slaughter."
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) outlined their "Emergency slaughter on farm campaign," focusing on regulatory frameworks and response strategies.
Dr. Ann Sturdy delved into the collaboration between medical and veterinary sciences under the theme "What motivates medics to work with vets on One Health?" emphasising the collaborative benefits.
Dr. Sheila Voas, Chief Veterinary Officer for Scotland, discussed her path to working in government veterinary services, her passion for the role, and the responsibilities it entails.
Elizabeth Mullineaux, President of the BVA, explored strategies to improve veterinary workplace environments through the "BVA good vet workplace campaign."
Clarisse Beurrier presented on "Motives to advance cultured meat production," focusing on the technological and ethical motivations behind this innovation.
Dr. Sudhakar Bhandare addressed "Motivations and motivators to use bacteriophages in combating anti-bacterial resistance through food & feed," offering innovative bacterial management approaches.
Scott Reaney provided an update on "Defra's GB Import Control policy," highlighting recent changes and their implications.
Each presentation provided attendees with expert insights and forward-thinking discussions crucial for advancing veterinary public health.
Impactful Networking and Learning
The conference not only facilitated a deep dive into significant professional topics but also fostered an environment ripe for networking. The student feedback session was particularly vibrant, reflecting the enthusiasm and future potential of new entrants to the field. HallMark supports these budding professionals and encourages their pursuit of careers in veterinary public health.
Acknowledgments and Appreciation
Special thanks go out to the organising committee, including Anthony Ridge (AGV), Milorad Radakovic (VPHA), Rhiannon Wood (VPHA), Juan Avila (VPHA), Simon Woliter (VPHA), the student ambassadors, whose efforts made this event a resounding success and any others that made this event such as success. HallMark's ongoing sponsorship of the VPHA highlights our dedication to the veterinary community.
Continued Support and Opportunities
HallMark continues its commitment to supporting veterinary public health professionals worldwide. We believe in nurturing talent and offering opportunities that enhance career trajectories within this critical field. As we reflect on the successful conference, we are motivated to continue our support and look forward to future gatherings where we can learn, share, and grow together.
Conclusion
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services remains committed to promoting food safety and animal welfare through continuous support and collaboration in the veterinary public health sector. We cherish the connections made at this year's conference and anticipate further collaborative successes in the future.