DEFRA appoints Nigel Gibbens
The UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has appointed Nigel Gibbens as its chief veterinary officer (CVO). 
"I am delighted to have been appointed to this important and challenging role," says Mr Gibbens. "I intend to build on the successes and lessons learnt from recent exotic disease outbreaks to ensure that these risks continue to be managed as effectively as possible."
Mr Gibbens qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1981, after which he worked in general practice and spent some time working for government veterinary services in Belize and the Yemen. He joined the Ministry's central animal health policy group in 1996, where he worked on international trade for eight years and subsequently was involved in the surveillance and control of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and in animal welfare.
Former CVO Debbie Reynolds retired late in 2007, after a year that saw the UK affected by avian influenza, foot and mouth disease and bluetongue. Fred Landeg was acting CVO in the interim, but retired last month.
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