Neil Paton BVA Welsh Branch President said: “We welcome this long-awaited initiative aimed at increasing experience and expertise in livestock veterinary medicine in Wales.

"This programme has the potential to draw on Aberystwyth University’s depth and breadth of knowledge in livestock and agriculture, and RVC’s wealth of knowledge in training veterinary surgeons. It is an exciting, forward-looking partnership that brings together the right resources to deliver a range of potential training opportunities to Wales’ vets of tomorrow.”

BVA President Sean Wensley said: “Animal health and welfare depends on veterinary surgeons receiving the right training, skills and knowledge from the outset of their career. BVA recognises that there are both opportunities and risks in increasing the number of veterinary undergraduate courses, particularly in ensuring there are good clinical career prospects for graduates. However, the establishment of this hub of veterinary expertise and excellence in Wales will utilise existing resources and provide high quality training opportunities that aim to meet the current and future veterinary needs of Welsh agriculture; enhancing current RVC veterinary training while at the same time safeguarding animal health and promoting animal welfare, working with farmers and other animal owners across Wales.”