Royal College honour for Dr Iain Berrill

Dr Iain Berrill, Head of Technical at industry body Salmon Scotland, is one of three leading professionals to be made an Honorary Associate of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in this year’s RCVS Awards.

Berrill, a fish biologist and Head of Technical at Salmon Scotland, was nominated for working closely with fish vets to improve the health and welfare of fish in the Scottish aquaculture industry.

His nominator, Ronnie Soutar MRCVS, Head of Veterinary Services at Scottish Sea Farms, said: “Iain is also the go-to person for vets and others outwith the sector wishing to access information on fish health and welfare or seeking a conduit to the agreed opinion of Scottish aquaculture’s vets. He has, for example, provided vet-related information to the Scottish Government’s Farmed Fish Health Framework, to the BVA’s working group on sustainable aquaculture and to the VMD [Veterinary Medicines Directorate] in relation to the use and availability of medicines for farmed fish.

“Without Iain’s work, and the way in which he does it, the work of Scotland’s salmon vets would undoubtedly have been harder. He has dealt incredibly competently with many issues which would have diverted us from the very important focus on the daily care of farmed fish.”

Berrill said: “I am humbled that the vets within the sector have nominated me for this award. I will continue to support them to advance the health and welfare of the fish in our care.”

Dr Berrill holds a PhD in salmon development from the University of Stirling, an MSc in applied fish biology from the University of Plymouth and a BSc in marine biology from Swansea University. Prior to joining Salmon Scotland in 2010. He was a post-doctoral research officer at Bangor University and the University of Stirling.

Two other vets were also named as Honorary Associates: horse health specialist James Ferrie, the farrier for the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine; and Professor Diana Williams, who was until recently Professor of Infection Biology and Microbiomes at the University of Liverpool’s Institution of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Studies.

Also in the Awards, Professor Stuart Reid FRCVS, Principal of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and a Past-President and Council member of the RCVS, received the Queen’s Medal, and awards were also announced in the Compassion, Impact and Inspiration categories, as well as the Veterinary Nursing Golden Jubilee Award.