More mouths to feed means work for vets, says Dean of Veterinary Medicine Faculty

Most people think of vets as someone to consult when livestock or pets are ill. But the contribution of the veterinary profession to society goes much further than that.

That was the pitch by Professor Stuart Reid, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Glasgow, on the opening day of the British Veterinary Congress in Glasgow.

He highlighted the work of vets in public health, disease control, scientific research, public education, food production and disaster management.

Challenges for the profession would increase as the demand for food rose throughout the world. "Expertise and knowledge will be needed as never before to cope with the tensions and demands of more mouths to be fed," he said.