Welsh vet becomes new BVA President-Elect

Mr Peter Harlech Jones has been elected President-Elect of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) for 2011/2012. The ceremony took place during the Annual General Meeting of the BVA at the close of its Annual Congress, held in London.

Mr Harlech Jones, an international consultant on veterinary medicines, was born and raised in North Wales. He qualified from the University of Liverpool Veterinary School. After several years in practice in Wales and London – plus a spell in Ontario, Canada – Peter joined the pharmaceutical industry and spent 20 years in the animal health business both in the UK and overseas working in the fields of research and development and also regulatory affairs. In 1995 he was appointed the first head of the Veterinary Division at the newly created European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) in London, playing a leading role in the creation of the new European regulatory system and working at the centre of European institutions. His last post before semi-retirement in 2008 was as head of the global animal health industry association, the International Federation of Animal Health (IFAH).

Within the BVA Peter has served on the Veterinary Policy Group and as chair of the Medicines Group. A former secretary and chairman of the Association of Veterinarians in Industry, he also participates in the work of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) as well as being a member of the RCVS working group charged with rewriting the Guide to Professional Conduct. He also acts as a consultant to GALVmed whose aim is to make livestock vaccines, diagnostics and medicines accessible to those in developing countries for whom livestock is a lifeline.

Delighted at being elected as President-Elect, Peter said:

“I am immensely proud to be a member of the veterinary profession whose dedication, compassion and huge commitment continues to ensure the health and welfare of animals in their care and I have really welcomed my involvement with the BVA since retiring from full-time employment.

“Working with many international organisations has really made me realise how important a part the veterinarian plays in safeguarding human health as well as animal health and also in guaranteeing food security at a time when this issue is achieving such high profile in world affairs.

“I am honoured to be elected to the Officer team at BVA and look forward to playing my part in supporting all the different branches of the profession.”

Biography for BVA President-Elect: Peter Harlech Jones

Born and raised in North Wales Peter left the Sir Huw Owen School in Caernarfon to attend University in Liverpool after which he returned to Wales for a spell in mixed practice followed by small animal practice in London, then Ontario in Canada, and back to west London.

After several years in practice he joined the pharmaceutical industry and spent the next 20 years in the animal health business both in the UK and overseas. Working for Lilly Research/Elanco and MSD AgVet in the fields of research/development and regulatory affairs Peter feels a sense of pride in having played a part in helping to research and develop some of the most advanced and innovative medicinal products available today, and which have made a significant contribution to animal health and welfare worldwide.

Returning to the UK from the USA in 1995 Peter turned poacher to gamekeeper when he was appointed the first head of the Veterinary Division at the newly created European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) in London. The chance of playing a leading role in the creation of the new European regulatory system and working at the centre of the European institutions gave him an invaluable insight and understanding of how things work in the EU.

Peter’s last post before semi-retirement in 2008 was as head of the global animal health industry association, the International Federation of Animal Health (IFAH) in Brussels whose goal is to act as a unified, global voice in dealings with governments, food industry partners and consumers. In this role he worked closely with the World Association of Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, and served as a member of the OIE working parties on antimicrobial resistance and guidelines for vaccination for the control of Avian Influenza.

Within the BVA Peter has served on the Veterinary Policy Group and as chair of the Medicines Group. He has been secretary and chairman of the Association of Veterinarians in Industry, and participates in the work of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE).

At the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) he is a member of the working group charged with rewriting the Guide to Professional Conduct, giving him an insight into the issues faced by practitioners today.

Peter also acts as a consultant to GALVmed, a not-for-profit global alliance of public, private and government partners and a registered charity in Scotland whose aim is to make livestock vaccines, diagnostics and medicines accessible to those in developing countries for whom livestock is a lifeline.