Trusted vets key to animal welfare
(from left) BVA Welsh branch president Rob Davies, Welsh shadow minister Llyr Gruffyd and BVA president Robin Hargreaves.
The importance of trust between vets and clients was the focus of Robin Hargreaves' presidential speech at the BVA's annual Welsh dinner.
Mr Hargreaves underlined the importance of the relationship between farmers and vets and the role that trust plays in the delivery of better animal health and welfare in Wales.
A successful pilot project, Cymorth TB, recently ended in April 2014. It aimed to improve the management of TB breakdowns by giving private vets enhanced disease management control.
The pilot's success is in part due to the “strong relationship that exists between local veterinary surgeons and their clients,” Mr Hargeaves said.
“Farmer compliance in disease management and control is key and the farmer’s local – trusted – vet is best placed to deliver additional services and provide a bridge between policymakers and livestock owners.”
BVA is calling for a further roll out of the scheme to the rest of Wales.
Mr Hargreaves welcomed the news of “significant reductions” in the number of cattle slaughtered in Wales due to TB, as well as a drop in the number of new herd incidents.
However, the president warns against misinterpreting these statistics. He said: “It is essential that the latest figures are not hijacked by the political lobby that would claim the stats show that badger vaccination is a proven alternative to culling.
“There is as yet no evidence to suggest that the badger vaccination programme in the Intensive Action Area has had an additional benefit to that experienced across the whole of Wales, and it is still too early to draw any conclusions.”
News that the University of Aberystwyth and the Welsh Government will consider how to develop a hub of veterinary excellence was also welcomed by the president.
He said the BVA is “grateful” to the government and university for “thinking creatively” about how to respond to the loss of laboratory facilities.
“Just as it is true that prevention is better than cure, a robust veterinary surveillance system is a far better investment than the huge bill for a disease outbreak,” he said while calling on politicians and stakeholders to get behind the concept.
Mr Hargreaves also took the opportunity to mention the BVA e-petition calling for a ban on non-stun slaughter – which has now received more than 70,000 signatures.
“We recognise that it is a sensitive issue but politicians cannot continue to ignore the public call for better information and clearer labelling,” he commented.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
