Vivien Dillon MRCVS Cert SHP

Vivien graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in 1978, and obtained the RCVS Certificate in Sheep Health & Production in 1990. She speaks French and Italian.

Core Skills:

Provision and application of informed veterinary advice:

• Supporting customers to meet global food security, public health, animal health and welfare challenges. Enabling businesses to navigate complex or conflicting areas of regulation

Communicating, influencing and leading: 

• Integrating diverse organisations to harness their potential and build their capacity. 
• Influencing policy development and effective stakeholder engagement 

Developing performance: 

• Inspiring confidence in all those responsible for the care of livestock,by coaching and training. Blending principles of science and animal husbandry with knowledge of UK and EU standards and a respect for cultural diversity 

Experience:

After 15 years in farm practice in Somerset, Staffordshire and Scotland, she joined the Animal Health Office in Grampian & North Isles as a Veterinary Officer. 

• Animal Welfare: Vivien set up monitoring teams and liaison groups to ensure consistency, best practice and self-regulation in welfare and biosecurity. Leading in production animal welfare, enforcement and Cross Compliance, with oversight of farms, markets and transport, she was one of two officers in Scotland reporting directly to the Crown Office. She naturally brought people together, combining resources and affirming their responsibilities, and her practical approach to enforcement repeatedly resolved difficult situations. She is competent with all domestic species, equines, farmed fish and game-birds.
• Animal Disease: extensive experience including Swine Fever, Foot & Mouth Disease, bovine Tuberculosis and sheep diseases. Vivien wrote biosecurity protocols, and was a nominated TB trainer.
• Public Health: she represented government veterinarians in the Grampian Joint Health Protection Group. 
• Policy development: for Scottish Government, examples of her written policy included Guidance for Livestock Market Operators, advice on disease control, animal transport, the Rural Development Programme, and co-drafting the Animal Gatherings Order. She wrote the draft Biosecurity Code of Practice and risk assessments for licensing animal movements during outbreaks of disease 
• Training and Quality Assurance: Vivien’s joint training sessions for drovers, transporters and regulators established trust and self-regulation in livestock markets. Her training courses were a starting point for the current University degree course for Livestock auctioneers. She trained UK Official Veterinarians and has moved on to OV courses in Europe
• Liaison: Vivien used her influence with stakeholders and regulators to engage effective assistance in emergency situations.  
• A partner in a commercial livestock business, she understands the drivers and constraints of trade, relates to livestock keepers at all levels, and has a strong, effective network within the livestock industry and food producers 

Current work: An accomplished coach and trainer, her recent activities include:

• Writing on-line training for UK Official Veterinarians; ( International Trade in Animal Products and Germplasm, for Improve International) 
• Tutoring for EU BTSF  “Better Training for Safer Food”
• Teaching at Harper Adams and Edinburgh Universities.