Scottish Government Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Meeting

This included the silver birch exercise, cattle diseases, sheep scab, veterinary surveillance, responsibility and cost sharing, EU Animal health law and the devolution of the GB Animal Health and Welfare budget.

The meeting received a positive update on Exercise Silver Birch, a Tier 2 UK Contingency Exercise based around a simulated outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, organised by Scottish Government and Animal Health, in partnership with Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government. The exercise tested a wide range of factors around the management of an outbreak, and has exposed some industry concerns regarding disposal of carcases and the risks of off-farm disposal. Animal Health offered to hold a meeting on this specific issue. Scottish Government, NFU(S) and the Moredun Research institute are arranging a seminar on FMD vaccination with participants invited from across the British Isles to promote a shared understanding of the principles.

Changes to the arrangements for the routine testing of cattle were discussed in order to find efficiencies through risk-based targeting of resources. Testing for TB, brucellosis and EBL are all under consideration.

The meeting received a positive update on the introduction of the new Sheep Scab (Scotland) Order which came into force on 17 December and appears to be working on the ground. There were some stakeholder concerns which are being addressed in an amendment which will come into force by March 2011. The long withdrawal period after the use of certain treatments was also discussed but it was highlighted that this is an inevitable consequence of their sustained duration of action which is otherwise beneficial.

An update on BVD followed with a reminder that the subsidy for testing ends on the 31 March 2011. A consultation has been launched on the proposal to move to compulsory testing of breeding herds for BVD. The consultation provides for a range of options for tests and scope for the definition of breeding herds. Industry were asked to look at these aspects to see if all these tests cover all circumstances. Industry was encouraged to respond and it was noted that a wide variety of responses would be welcomed. Concerns over testing methods and the definition of herd screening were raised. The BVA will follow these points with veterinary surgeons. The methods and level of enforcement was also raised and will be looked at by Scottish Government.

There was a presentation on EU Animal Health Law. The EU is seeking to bring everything under one joined up regulatory framework for consistency but that is generating a large, complex proposal. Scottish Government was asked to identify threats and opportunities for Scotland so that we can focus our collective negotiating efforts.

An update on responsibility and cost sharing reported that The Expert Forum have now finished their consultation process. The report to the Cabinet Secretary was due at the end of December but due to adverse weather and other issues the consultation process had to be extended. The Defra Advisory Group for RCS which reported in December 2010 recommended establishing a partnership board to share responsibility a staged approach to sharing the costs starting with a 'value-for-money' study of the animal health and welfare landscape. The report also recommended against a levy which in the form described in the draft Animal Health Bill which had been published under the previous UK Government.

It was noted that there is an offer from Defra for the devolution of the GB budget which is currently being considered by Scottish Ministers

The group was asked to note that SEARS have produced biosecurity protocol for sheep and cattle keepers which will be sent out shortly for stakeholders comments concerning its usefulness utility and method of publication

The group was advised that the European Commission was not intending to delay the ban on use of barren cages for laying hens and that a recent EFSA opinion on welfare during transport had not recommended any change to travel times or resting periods other than for horses for slaughter. The Commission is currently considering this report and may then make proposals for new legislation.