Former Defra CVO takes up key role on RUMA

Former Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens is joining the RUMA's (Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture) Independent Scientific Group.

Mr Gibbens, who retired this month after 10 years as Defra's CVO, will sit alongside other eminent researchers and scientists from the veterinary, medical and microbiological field, providing insight and recommendations to inform RUMA’s policy on the responsible use of medicines in farm animals.

Professor Gibbens said he had been very impressed with recent progress made by the UK livestock sectors on reducing, refining or replacing use of antibiotics. But he said it was now time to look forward to the next steps, and how science can support further efforts to reduce on-farm antimicrobial use.

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