Draft Animal Health Bill A Mixed Bag, UK

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 27 Jan 2010 - 9:00 PDT


The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed aspects of the draft Animal Health Bill as 'a real success for the veterinary profession's lobby', but is disappointed that the Government is still committed to separating animal health policy and animal welfare policy.

The draft Animal Health Bill is the culmination of consultations on responsibility and cost sharing and establishes a new Non-Departmental Public Body with responsibility for animal health policy and delivery in England - the Animal Health Organisation (AHO).

The Bill creates a new role of England Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) to sit in the AHO and clarifies the position of the UK CVO, which will remain in Defra and take on a coordinating role in a disease outbreak situation.

The Bill also widens powers in England and Wales to collect and test veterinary samples to aid surveillance and to vaccinate animals.

A separate finance bill will be required to establish how the new arrangements will be funded. The BVA's Veterinary Policy Group will now consider the draft Bill and respond to the consultation.

Commenting, Professor Bill Reilly, President of the BVA, said:

"The draft Animal Health Bill is a mixed bag. We are delighted that, on some aspects of the new arrangements, the Government has listened to our concerns and heeded our advice. The proposed UK CVO role based in Defra, as distinct from the new post of England CVO, is a real success for the veterinary profession's lobby. Through the draft Bill Defra has clarified that the UK CVO will report directly to ministers, as well as having a key coordination role in disease outbreak situations, ensuring that the veterinary voice remains at the centre of decision making.

"Although the make-up of the proposed Animal Health Organisation (AHO) has not been spelled out, we would expect veterinary expertise to be represented on the board and will continue to push for this. We also recognise the important role that the advisory committees will have in providing advice to the board.

"The BVA welcomes any measures that will encourage livestock producers to follow good practice, as well as the opportunities in the Bill for increased surveillance.

"We agree that all species should be included in the AHO, but until the separate finance bill is published we do not know how funds will be raised from all sectors, particularly horses and companion animals.

"Unfortunately, we are deeply disappointed that Defra remains committed to splitting animal health policy and animal welfare policy. Along with many other organisations, the BVA has consistently argued that health and welfare are inextricably linked. We need to be convinced that lines of communication under the new proposals are such that welfare is not sidelined or compromised. We have not yet received those assurances and will continue to lobby for welfare to be embedded in health policy."

Source
British Veterinary Association

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