10th International Sheep Veterinary Congress

Programme

The scientific programme covered plenary talks, oral presentations and poster sessions from Monday 6 to Friday 10 March, with parallel rooms identified as Sevilla, España 1+2+3 and España 4+5. The plenary talk chair was Delia Lacasta, and sessions addressed topics such as the history and evolution of the Merino breed.

View the programme

The 10th International Sheep Veterinary Congress brought together veterinary and production professionals from around the world for five days in Seville, Spain, held between 6 and 10 March 2023. The event was hosted at the Hotel Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento and welcomed colleagues involved in the health, welfare and productivity of small ruminants, including dedicated goat and sheep specialists working across research, practice and industry.

The scientific programme formed the heart of the meeting, with plenary talks, keynote speakers, oral presentations and poster sessions covering a broad range of topics in sheep and goat medicine. Sessions addressed herd health, infectious disease, nutrition, reproduction, welfare and the practical realities of flock management, giving attendees the chance to exchange findings between laboratory researchers and field veterinarians.

Organised by the Spanish association for sheep and goat health professionals in representation of the International Sheep Veterinary Association, the congress reflected the continuing collaboration between national societies and the international body. Invitations were extended to veterinarians, researchers, students and industry representatives, and the organisers expressed their enthusiasm for the shared commitment to improving veterinary care for ovine and caprine species.

Beyond the lecture rooms, the congress offered a full social calendar that allowed delegates to experience the city of Seville. Companions were not forgotten, with accompanying persons' tours and organised excursions included alongside the scientific timetable, providing a chance to see the historic surroundings and the wider region that hosted the meeting.

Venue and accommodation information helped delegates plan their stay, with details of the host city, the congress venue and nearby hotels made available to those travelling from abroad. A technical secretariat supported the congress through registration queries, abstract submission and correspondence, ensuring that questions from authors and participants around the world were handled efficiently before and during the event.

The abstract submission process ran to a defined deadline, with notifications sent to authors afterwards so that accepted contributions could be scheduled into the programme. Contributors were offered the option of presenting work orally or as a poster, and the scientific and organising committees reviewed submissions to build a balanced, high-quality programme across the parallel sessions and plenary slots.

Sponsors and partners played an important role in supporting the congress, contributing to the resources that allowed such a large international gathering to take place. Their involvement reflected the close relationship between the veterinary profession, the sheep and goat production sector, and the wider industry that depends on healthy, well-managed flocks for sustainable food production.

A welcome letter set out the reasons for attending, inviting colleagues to take part in what was described as the tenth edition of this international congress. The tone was warm and collegial, emphasising the value of meeting face to face, sharing experience across different farming systems and climates, and strengthening the professional networks that sustain veterinary work with small ruminants.

For those unable to attend in person, the congress website remains a useful reference point, keeping the scientific programme, speaker information, venue guidance and general organisational details together in one place. Contact channels and the technical secretariat are also held here, so that colleagues with questions about the congress, its proceedings or future editions can find the appropriate route to an answer.