This year's BVA Congress will take place at the Europa Hotel, Belfast commencing with a Welcome Reception at the Stormont Parliament Buildings on the evening of Thursday 27 September and followed by two days of simultaneous political and CPD sessions.

This year represents the launch of a 'new-look' BVA Congress, an event for the whole of the profession, and, for the first time in many years, the Congress will be held in the city of Belfast. With strong support for the event from our territorial division, the North of Ireland Veterinary Association (NIVA) who are currently celebrating their centenary as well as Veterinary Northern Ireland, an Irish flavour will be evident throughout Congress. From the Wooldridge Memorial Lecture by Irish MEP Avril Doyle, CPD sessions hosted by the Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practising in Northern Ireland (AVSPNI) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association Northern Ireland (BSAVA NI) to Riverdance and Blackthorn at the Party Night and The Commitments at the Congress banquet.

Delegates of a more political persuasion will no doubt consider the BVA's traditional 'Contentious Issues' sessions, with the theme 'Pulling Together' which will address the increasing influence of Europe, the CAHP, Bovine TB and the implications for the profession of new animal welfare legislation while those with an interest in working overseas may opt for the BVA Overseas Group's presentations on managing natural disasters, dealing with man-made disasters and working in rural communities but for those seeking CPD the choice is immense.

The BVA Congress partners running CPD sessions are AVSPNI, British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA), BSAVA NI, NIVA, Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS), Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) and Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) while further contributors to the programme include the Association of Veterinary Teaching and Research Work (AVTRW), Fish Veterinary Society (FVS), Goat Veterinary Society (GVS), Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF) and Veterinary NI.

BVA Congress will also feature a comprehensive trade exhibition and a fun and varied social programme. In addition to the welcome reception at Stormont, there will be an Irish evening at Belfast Castle, the Congress banquet, a partner programme and a golf tournament.

For further information on Congress, for which press registration is free, please contact mediabva or visit www.bva/congress.