Dr Andy Paterson

Qualified: RVC (1988). Institution/Practice: Regional Veterinary Lead, AHVLA Reigate Field Services, Liberty House, 105 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey RH2 7JB, UK. Career: After qualifying in 1988 I spent 2 years in mainly farm animal practice in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. After this I spent 10 years working for the Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics Research Unit (VEERU) at the University of Reading, and PAN Livestock Services Limited (an international consultancy firm), teaching epidemiology and disease control in MSc and PhD programmes. During this time I worked on animal disease control projects in developing countries, mainly in East and Southern Africa and Latin America, carrying out work on behalf of international organisations such as FAO, OIE, EU and national governments. I joined Defra during the 2001 FMD outbreak and have not escaped. During this time I have provided veterinary advice to policy makers on International Trade, TB control, dangerous pathogens, high containment laboratories and equine exotic disease control. Recent equine work has included development of the African horse sickness control strategy, EIA, EVA and CEM outbreaks, equine semen certification issues, and preparations for the 2012 Equestrian Olympics. In June 2012 I moved to an operational field role and became one of the 2 Regional Veterinary Leads for the south-east of England, but retain a role as the lead for equine exotic disease control issues in AHVLA. Interests: My background is as an epidemiologist; apart from this my main interests are in the use of international trade to promote sustainable development, risk assessment and the economic assessment of animal disease control. I also have a particular interest in increasing the awareness of equine exotic disease and improving the way that government and equine practitioners work together. I have been Hon. Secretary and President of the Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SVEPM), and been on the Council of the European College of Veterinary Public Health (ECVPH). I try to claim some credibility through my wife who is an equine practitioner in Sussex.