13 years ago
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Posted
26th April, 2011 14h56
Commenting on the announcement by Defra that a new Animal Health and Welfare Board for England will be set up in response to a report by the Responsibility and Cost Sharing Advisory Group, Harvey Locke, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said:
“The BVA is delighted that both the Advisory Group and Ministers have taken note of the veterinary profession’s views in drawing up these plans.
“We said from the outset that genuine responsibility sharing has to be achieved before cost sharing can be discussed and we warned against earlier plans to separate animal health policy from animal welfare policy, as the two are intrinsically linked.
“Animal health and welfare policy issues require expert, scientific input and it will be essential that the new Board includes veterinary representation. We believe that the Board will provide the right mechanism for ensuring decisions are based on sound science.
“The new Board will also have to work closely with the three devolved administrations to ensure that animal health and welfare policies across the UK are joined up and complementary.”
