British Veterinary Association Responds To CVO Annual Report, UK

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 09 Sep 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Commenting on the publication of the Chief Veterinary Officer's annual report 'Animal Health 2008: The Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer', which may be the last annual report produced in the current format, Nicky Paull, President of the British Veterinary Association, said

"The CVO's annual report is a useful summing up of the year looking at the activities and issues affecting Animal Health and the CVOs in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"We are pleased to see the report's overviews looking at issues across the devolved administrations to ensure work on animal health and welfare is as joined up as it can be in the UK. This is a vital element that could be lost if the Government's plans on responsibility and cost sharing go ahead as planned.

"We are also pleased to see the section on biosecurity and farm health planning and hope that we can support efforts to make these issues more prominent in the future.

"Overall, the vast majority of information supplied in the report should come as no surprise to most veterinary surgeons as detailed information is provided through the CVO, Defra, the RCVS and the BVA throughout the year as and when it is needed.

"Many issues that we are dealing with as a profession change rapidly and vets will be looking for regular updates on the diseases and policies affecting the animals they work with, often looking to online resources that are kept up to date.

"In these difficult economic times, it may make sense for the CVO to use his resources to provide timely, focussed information in these ways, rather than producing a single large document at expense.

"If he does take that route it is essential that the links between crossover issues are not lost and that the CVO himself continues to have a strong independent voice on all matters affecting policy on animal health and welfare."

Notes

1. 'Animal Health 2008: The Report of the Chief Veterinary Officer'

Source
British Veterinary Association