BVA calls for action at annual dinner
The BVA’s annual dinner hosted in Cardiff City Hall has raised debates over welfare at slaughter, dog breeding legislation and the worries surrounding bovine TB.
The dinner was attended by parliamentarians, key representatives of animal health and welfare organisations and the agri-food industry and senior members of the veterinary profession.
The British Veterinary Association has called on the Welsh Government to take action on welfare at slaughter and asked the Environment Minister not to water down proposals for dog breeding legislation. BVA President Carl Padgett reiterated BVA’s concerns about the future of veterinary laboratories in Wales and made a plea for the option of a badger cull to tackle bovine TB to be put back on the table.
On welfare at slaughter Mr Padgett called on the Government to consider the issue of pre-stunning:
“We are concerned that meat from non-stunned slaughter is reaching the mainstream market – something that the law did not intend. That’s why we’re calling for meat and products from non-stunned slaughter to be labelled as such.
On bovine TB, Mr Padgett expressed the BVA’s deep disappointment at the decision to halt the proposed badger cull. He said:
“The promise of an average 16% reduction in herd breakdowns over the coming decade certainly didn’t seem insignificant to the vets and livestock keepers battling this devastating disease on a daily basis.
On veterinary laboratories, surveillance and the role of government vets, Mr Padgett reminded guests of the BVA’s concerns about the potential impact of lab closures in Wales:
“The announcement caught us by surprise, not least because decisions appeared to have been made before a proper assessment had been undertaken on the impact on the UK’s surveillance network….We believe any future model must be shaped by good surveillance strategies, and not the need to cut costs
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. 
