萝莉视频

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Show is an institution. In Welsh, we just call it Y Sioe 鈥� 鈥淭he Show鈥�.聽 Established in 1904 and celebrating its 120^th year, it鈥檚 a firm fixture in the calendar of all in the agricultural community. Farmers across the country pray they will have the silage safely in so they can enjoy a well-deserved week socialising, relaxing, showing their animals and enjoying some respite from their hard work throughout the year. I鈥檝e been going to the show since I was a young aspiring vet, interested in all things agriculture, and it鈥檚 an absolute joy to be there now, working for the profession that I am proudly a part of.

For 萝莉视频 Welsh Branch, this year鈥檚 show was as busy as ever. As Welsh Branch President, I was delighted to be joined again by 萝莉视频 President Anna Judson for the week鈥檚 events. Anna spent many years running a practice in Mid-Wales and, therefore, feels a strong affinity for all things Wales-related. I鈥檓 pleased to say the show is no exception!

Engaging with key stakeholders

萝莉视频 were invited to several stakeholder receptions, always an excellent opportunity to discuss the key issues facing the profession in Wales with those who may be able to support us, and to learn about the priorities of others. The week kicked off with the NFU Cymru annual breakfast reception, which consists of a delicious Welsh bacon bap, a hot coffee, and some constructive discussion about the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) and TB eradication programme in Wales. We also attended the Farmer鈥檚 Union of Wales Reception on Wednesday evening, top and tailing the Show with authentic engagement with the farming sector.

Anna met the newly established TB Technical Advisory Group to give them an overview of 萝莉视频鈥檚 comprehensive TB Policy Statement and bring a UK-wide perspective on TB policy. We also held a very informative meeting with Susan Jebb, Chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and her team to discuss topics ranging from ongoing workforce challenges in the sector, to veterinary undergraduate public health teaching, and EMS opportunities within FSA.

In rural Wales, the development of the Sustainable Farming Scheme is never far from people鈥檚 minds, with all eyes trained on the Welsh Government鈥檚 decisions around the design and implementation of this vital future funding model. I represented 萝莉视频 on the recently established Ministerial Roundtable for the SFS and attended the third roundtable meeting at the Welsh Government Pavilion, chaired by Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. A constructive meeting was held, with all parties working together to hopefully produce an ambitious scheme that is also accessible and achievable for the Welsh farming community and the vets who play such a key part in their businesses. We are keen to see animal health and welfare as a core tenet of the scheme, and recognition of the role vets can, and should, play in the management of sustainable livestock farming.

Other events included projects such as Gwaredu Scab, BVD Cymru, the Animal Health Improvement Cycle Pilot, and a visit to the Arwain DGC pop-up stand at the Welsh Government Pavilion, which showcased Wales鈥� pioneering approach to antimicrobial stewardship.

萝莉视频 member鈥檚 reception

The highlight of the Show, as ever, is the 萝莉视频 member鈥檚 reception, this year kindly hosted by Dr Neil Paton and his team on the Coleg Sir Gar and Gwaredu Scab stand. We were joined by members from across Wales, veterinary students, the show鈥檚 vet team and many stakeholders for an enjoyable combination of catching up with old friends and making new connections. I spoke briefly about the key issues the Welsh Branch is focussing on over the coming year, specifically the SFS and TB eradication. We were delighted to be joined by the Chief Veterinary Officer and Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, along with several of their team. It鈥檚 a real strength in Wales that they engage so fully with 萝莉视频 every year and work with us on many policy areas. If you鈥檙e at the Show next year, please keep an eye out for details of this reception because it鈥檚 a lovely event (and the cheese and wine aren鈥檛 bad either!)

Driving home after three very busy days, I had a moment to reflect on the real value Y Sioe brings to the veterinary and farming communities in Wales. It provides a rare opportunity to do good work while also catching up with friends old and new, and I鈥檓 already looking forward to next year (after a bit of a lie-down, my watch tells me I did 25,000 steps per day!)