RUMA Agriculture has appointed a new chair, James Russell, a highly respected veterinary surgeon, consultant, and professional leader with more than two decades of experience in clinical practice, veterinary policy, and animal health governance.
The new chair paid tribute to his predecessor, NFU Chief Animal Health and Welfare Adviser Cat McLaughlin, saying: “Cat leaves an exceptional legacy. Her skills, experience, wisdom and collaborative leadership have shaped RUMA Agriculture into the trusted, respected organisation it is today.”
Cat has been with the NFU since 2006 and elected as RUMA Chair in 2020. She is also Chair of EPRUMA (the European Platform for the Responsible Using of Medicines in Animals), a role she has held since 2022.
During her tenure, Cat played a pivotal role in RUMA Agriculture's development, serving as Deputy Chair before becoming Chair, and contributing significantly to the organisation’s strategy and influence.
“I just hope that I have played even a small part in guiding the progress and journey of the organisations, sectors and industries that day in, day out, are committed to responsible use and delivering high health and welfare standards in UK livestock that are globally praised and respected.”
NFU Chief Animal Health and Welfare Adviser Cat McLaughlin
Significant contributions
Key milestones achieved under Cat's leadership include:
- The RUMA TTF (Targets Task Force) which she chaired, has become a defining example of positive stewardship across UK agriculture and aquaculture.
- The organisation successfully navigated the challenges of COVID-19, transitioning its biennial conference online and expanding RUMA’s reach both in the UK and internationally.
- RUMA Agriculture continues to strengthen and modernise its communications and awareness-raising activities on responsible veterinary medicine use and driving reach and engagement both in the UK and beyond, to drive influence and engage with more stakeholders.
- The organisation provided substantial input into the first major UK focused changes to the Veterinary Medicines Regulations in decades.
- Cat has brought national attention to growing pressures around vaccine and medicine availability, now recognised as a key challenge for future stewardship.
- Work has begun to explore the environmental footprint associated with responsible medicine use—an area that will continue to grow in importance.
‘An honour and privilege’
Speaking at her final AGM as RUMA Agriculture Chair, Cat said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to Chair RUMA Agriculture for all these years.
“I am full of praise for the hard work and achievements of the alliance which unites farmers, vets, food businesses, and policymakers around a shared mission: protecting animal health while preserving the effectiveness of vital medicines. This is a truly unique infrastructure – completely voluntary and incredibly effective.
“Responsible medicine stewardship has, and always will be, a multi-sector, multi-industry, team effort. I just hope that I have played even a small part in guiding the progress and journey of the organisations, sectors and industries that day in, day out, are committed to responsible use and delivering high health and welfare standards in UK livestock that are globally praised and respected.
“I congratulate James on his appointment. Under his leadership I know he will work hard to ensure the UK remains a global exemplar in responsible medicine stewardship, safeguarding the effectiveness of vital medicines while supporting a resilient, high welfare livestock industry.”
Authoritative voice
RUMA Agriculture is one of the UK livestock sector’s most influential voices on responsible veterinary medicine use, bringing together the full farm to fork supply chain to champion high animal health and welfare standards across the UK livestock industry.
Its collaborative, evidence led approach has positioned the UK as a global leader in responsible antibiotic use and wider medicine stewardship.
For over ten years, RUMA Agriculture has driven major progress on AMR (antimicrobial resistance) with its TTF (Targets Task Force) – a model of sector led improvement – uniting vets, farmers and food businesses behind clear, measurable goals across all major livestock sectors. The TTF has recently entered its third phase of targets marking yet another important chapter in the AMS journey.
Commenting on his appointment as the new Chair of RUMA Agriculture, he says: “RUMA Agriculture has cemented itself as one of the UK’s most authoritative voices on responsible veterinary medicine use. Its ability to bring the whole supply chain together ensures that animal health, welfare, and responsible medicine stewardship, remain central to UK agriculture.
“I’m honoured to take on this role and look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place. There is still much to do—both in maintaining our focus on AMR but also ensuring stewardship across other medicine classes.”
