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The Ever Present Threat Of Animal Disease To Society

Author: BVA
Posted: Thursday 27th September, 2007. 00:00:00

Speaking today (Thursday) at the BVA Congress Welcome Reception at Stormont President David Catlow noted that “the past year had once again illustrated the ever present threat of animal disease to society.

“Whilst everyone acknowledges the tremendous efforts made by Defra (DARD and the other devolved administrations’ departments) and Animal Health in their response, I am aware that resources were and are stretched to capacity. Now with the added demands of dealing with the Bluetongue virus, the first time this disease has been seen in the UK, it becomes immediately obvious exactly why the profession has been trying to progress contingency arrangements for mobilising the private veterinary sector should they be required. Many would be surprised that in the six years since the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic, those arrangements, although talked about rather urgently now, have yet to be finalised.

“To my mind this year’s incursions of Avian influenza, Foot and Mouth and Bluetongue, as well as the continuing seriousness of Bovine Tuberculosis in the UK serve as clear examples of the need for a motivated, viable and flexible veterinary resource. They are also very clear examples and stark reminders, of why it is essential that this country needs to continually invest in our national veterinary capability, and maintain an infrastructure of veterinary surgeons across the disciplines to respond to disease emergencies. Continued investment in research and surveillance is an essential part of our frontline defence capability.

“Change is not necessarily always for good and the introduction of the new is often accompanied by the loss of old skills and capability. Decision-makers must consider what is being lost when they make change. We do hope that when government makes decisions that affect the very structure and future viability of veterinary practice, particularly in the rural sector, it is confident that it will have sufficient veterinary resource and capability to deal with the sort of disease emergencies we have seen over recent months.

“These are messages that I have repeated throughout the year, and they have fallen on receptive ears, particularly in the devolved regions, where rural communities and their continued viability are a key focus of political investment and attention. Whether the Ministers holding the purse strings in Westminster are quite so receptive is debatable. It is to my mind astonishing that while animal health issues continue to make headline news, firm commitments to maintain veterinary budgets remain so vague.”


BVA President's Welcome Speech is available at http://www.bva.co.uk/press/2007/07congress_welcome_speech.asp


For further information on Congress, for which press registration is free, please contact the BVA Press Office on 020 7908 6340 or media@bva.co.uk or visit the BVA website at http://www.bva.co.uk/congress.

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