Chief veterinary officer honoured

The government’s former chief veterinary officer has been made a Companion of the Order of Bath in the New Year Honours List.

Debby Reynolds, who retired in November, headed the government team that dealt with many of the recent animal crises, including bird flu, foot-and-mouth and the recent fears of bluetongue.

Dr Reynolds has been temporarily succeeded by deputy chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg, whose new deputy is Alick Simmons.

On her retirement, Dr Reynolds said: “The events of this summer were the true test of our contingency planning and the partnership work we have established; we have built a disease control strategy which is the best in the world.”

The role of chief veterinary officer includes offering ministers advice on animal health policy, containing animal disease and providing day-to-day veterinary advice.

Bluetongue was confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in September and is a virus circulated by midges.