Scottish Government Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Meeting

ITEMS DISCUSSED

1. Presentation by UK Border Agency on illegal imports. See this report for background information:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/personal-import/pdf/review0409-0310.pdf

• Colin Fraser gave a presentation covering imports of products of animal origin and the process involved in screening, detecting and seizing illegal items.

• There is free trade in products within the European Union.

• Enforcement strategy is at a high level to reduce illegal imports, where every day an animal product is seized. This year 1008 food and animal products (2284 kilos) have been seized at Scottish Airports and Ports, making Scotland ahead of its target.

• There are currently 4 meat dogs available to the UK to be used in its detection. This is to increase to 7 but none are based in Scotland. However they can be brought in from Manchester when required.

• In 2003/2004 there were 15,316 seizures (174000 kilos) in the UK, by 2009/2010 this was 21,197 seizures (162,415 kilos) and in 2006/2007 there were 35,121 seizures (162,415 kilos), suggesting that the number of seizures increased and has fallen again because of greater awareness and compliance by the general public leading to fewer smuggled goods being brought in.

• There are few prosecutions as this is only deemed appropriate for repeat offenders or those bringing in commercial quantities of prohibited goods.

• Since 2003 there have been 13 prosecutions in the UK, with none in Scotland.

• Work is risk targeted and countries where diseases are endemic are focused on closely. Higher risk countries bring more checks by multi skilled officers. Stakeholders expressed strong interest in the work and a lengthy discussion followed.

• Although notices and leaflets around airports act as a major deterrent in bringing in illegal meat, stakeholders raised concerns that there still may be many travellers who are unaware of the problems relating to this, and perhaps this is something that should be highlighted more with a campaign to raise awareness suggested. It is the point of origin where the greatest awareness ought to be raised.

• The UK Border Agency work in partnership with other enforcement agencies and DEFRA, more information is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk.

• Colin took the points raised in the discussion back with him to consider.

2. Bluetongue

• Analysis of data from EU BTV8 surveillance and risk assessment has shown that it is no longer proportionate to test all imports and risk based testing is potentially a more sensible approach in Scotland.

• Alastair Douglas presented an update on bluetongue (BT) situation in Europe and on forthcoming legislative changes to BT regulation and Directive.

• No reports of active BTV8 circulation in any Northern EU Member State in 2010 or 2011. Several of these countries have declared disease freedom and some are into their second year of surveillance required by the Commission before they can declare disease freedom.

• Disease still circulating in some Southern Member States.

• Great Britain has been a low risk zone since June 2010.

• 2 years worth of surveillance was presented to SCoFCAH on 1-2 March 2011. The Commission greed that GB was now in a position to declare freedom from disease. This has not yet been implemented as we are waiting for an amendment to bluetongue Directive 2000/75/EC that will allow vaccination in a free area. That amendment is expected to be approved in May or June.

• Commission also updating bluetongue regulation EC 1266/2007. Amendment expected to go to SCoFCAH for vote in April.

• Mick Park summarised Scottish Government's agreed risk based approach to testing imports for bluetongue virus which is currently being undertaken, with the scrutiny of paperwork having significance on the outcome.

• He confirmed that for the period December 2010 to February 2011 Animal Health had been notified of 11 consignments (10 consignments cattle, 1 sheep). Majority from Netherlands. 1 consignment (of one animal) was from a 'Higher Risk' country which was BT sampled.

• Simon Hall commented that as we enter the vector active season there are higher risks associated with the incursion of bluetongue, however the results of surveillance are reassuring.

• Stakeholders enquired if it was up to member states to contribute to level of surveillance, Scottish Government confirmed that the surveillance plan is part funded by the Commission and there is no pressure on farms or government to spend money on surveillance.

• Stakeholders supported the proposal to continue with this risk based approach to post import testing and commented that it is working but recommend that it is kept under constant review. In the south of Europe, documentary checks by Animal Health have identified problems with the quality of certification by one member State and this has resulted in CVO(UK) addressing the problem with the originating Member State.

3. TSEs

A) Action on Pre-96 Cattle

• Nick Ambrose updated the group on the recent action and informed the meeting that 3.500 keepers of pre-96 cattle had been issued letters on 8th and 9th March restricting movements with these only being allowed under licence.

• This had attracted little media attention with the majority of it being positive and in the best interests of public health.

• Stakeholders praised this action as it has taken control of a potentially huge economic crisis due to a small group of individuals.

B) Raising the age limit for BSE testing at slaughter

• Simon Hall provided an update on the TSE road map, commenting that we are way working way ahead to bringing this forward.

• Stakeholders raised issues on splitting sheep carcasses, and it was mentioned that the risk assessment by EFSA's Biohazard Panel would perhaps benefit from further data.

• SAMW raised issues on sheep vertebral column from cattle over 30 months, considering it disproportionately disruptive and difficult to control.

• A change in the classification of SRM removal was supported by stakeholders and it was believed that it is disproportionate to benefit and a small change, for example on mesenteric fat, would make a significant difference. Support from Government was requested on this.

C) New ABPR

• Sheila Voas updated on the new Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 which came into force on 4th March 2011.

• There are some new additions such as the derogation on the disposal of small quantities of low risk animal by – products.

• A number of derogations have been used, many of which formalise practice accepted under previous legislation.

• The majority of these are formalised and were dealt with administratively under previous legislation.

• Requirements for Incineration, Composting Anaerobic Digestion and Rendering remain in order to protect both human and animal health.

• The new regulations are broadly deregulatory.

4. Transportation of carcasses in disease outbreaks – presentation by Animal Health

• Rupert Hine presented this and opened by commenting that exercise Silver Birch had produced very useful information on industry's perceptions of risks.

• For the last decade Scottish Government's published disposal hierarchy has been part of contingency plans and in order of preference consists of Fixed Plant Incineration, Rendering, Permitted Commercial Landfill and On Site Burial.

• A map was shown of the location of primary disposal facilities showing rendering plants. As there is currently no approved category 1 disposal capacity in Scotland to the north of Dumfries, it is possible that carcasses might need to be transported over significant distance.

• He also noted that the contracts for carcase disposal during outbreaks of exotic notifiable animal diseases were out to tender with new contracts expected to be awarded in April.

• Within that contract, primarily, 8 wheeler or articulated bulkers would be used for transportation, which are leak tested prior to every journey. Loads are covered with disinfectant and two layers of impervious sheeting which is also disinfected Vehicles will be loaded according to a strict protocol, and this will be supported by inspection to ensure that risk of onward contamination is reduced to an absolute minimum. All wagons carrying carcasses are escorted.

• Drivers are trained, identified and certified under ADR legislation and take a prescribed route identified by the NDCC Field Ops Team with input from local AHVLA staff. Drivers carry an incident card and certificate. Derogation from the Department for Transport exists to allow for the rapid training of additional drivers if required.

• Concerns were raised by stakeholders that public perception was driving the policy with regards to transport of carcasses and it was commented that the barriers are convincing but adhering to the specifications of these disposal contracts during a large outbreak are unrealistic with regards to access to correct vehicles and suitably trained personnel, which led to a real risk of disease spread.

• Public perception will never be positive in the event of disease outbreak, and getting information out to concerned people was mentioned as being an important aspect of contingency.

• Issues such as contamination, distance of travel, cost, support for farmers, and the actual risk of transporting carcasses were all raised.

• Rupert Hine commented that there was a cost to getting this right and the current plan is logistically the best option.

• Norman Leask- SCF commented that it is not an option to transport diseased carcasses on passenger ferries.

• Stakeholders suggested looking at options around other local disposal options such as licenced landfill, on site burial, etc. They questioned how vehicles and procedures applied in a large scale outbreak.

• Jonathan Pryce commented that as stakeholders are still not persuaded by Scottish Government's disposal hierarchy and sharing information with colleagues regarding risks, costs and alternatives would be beneficial in order to widen the discussion.

• Simon Hall commented that he would be pleased to meet people and explain the strategy and the Contingency Plan. This topic will be added to a future agenda before the end of the year.

5. Animal Health – Veterinary Laboratories Agency merger

• Rupert Hine provided an update on the Animal Health Agency merging with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, the main driver in bringing all delivery under one roof.

• This will increase resilience in having expertise but will bring challenges as the merger occurs over the coming weeks and there will be lots of work finalising the details.

• Points raised were that a good senior team is in place and currently it is in the process of agreeing services that the Scottish Government procure from them with part of the challenge is being as accurate as possible about resource allocation as the agency moves from a gross running cost to a net cost agency.

6. Updates on Expert Forum, Kinnaird, Devolution of Budgets, Scudamore response

• Jonathan Pryce introduced himself as the new Director for Rural and Environment.

• It was announced on Monday 14 March that Scotland's share of the GB Animal Health and Welfare budgets had been successfully devolved. There is no new money because we will need to use it to buy back services currently supplied by Defra. However, we should have more choice and be able to secure better value for money for Scotland.

• Stakeholders asked how will it be possible to allocate costs fairly between Scotland, England and Wales. It was explained that of the £14 million attributed to the Animal Health Agency for Scotland, just under half of that is spent directly in Scotland on TB Testing etc. The rest is central cost which is split between overheads such as HR and IT, as well as services provided at GB level such as export certification. AHVLA will be a 'net cost agency' meaning that there will be increasing transparency as to how much is being paid for each service delivered.

• The report of the Expert Forum on responsibility and cost sharing was published on the day of the stakeholder meeting. It advises against a levy but recommends that Scottish Government should work with the insurance industry to help them develop suitable products to cover some of the costs of exotic disease outbreaks.

• Gordon Struth commented that the Review of Veterinary Surveillance will be delayed until after the election.

• SG had intended to publish a response to the Scudamore Report on FMD 2007 but this has been delayed until after the election to allow more work to be done on movement licences.

7. Report from DEFRA Sector Council Forum 11 March

• Simon Hall attended the Defra Sector Council Forum on 11 March. There was little report pending the creation of their 'partnership board'. Psoroptic mange – which is a mite related to sheep scab in Cattle had been discussed, and it was mentioned by Stakeholders that SAC had agreed as part of advisory activity to put information into the public domain with suggestions on identifying and treating it. Further information is required on how to avoid buying infected cattle. It is not a regulated disease but Simon Hall commented that SG would consider supporting any industry initiative.

8. Report from Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Steering group 7 March

• Minutes will be published once they are finalised. The group is not expected to meet again for at least a year.

• The meeting was described as being very useful with much interest in the development of a new test for Johne's disease.

• The Advisory Group had not met in some time as we have been in a period of implementing policy rather than developing strategy, but with changes to the landscape of animal health and welfare their input was invaluable.

• The Advisory Group discussed the Veterinary Development Council, the establishment of which was a recommendation of the Lowe Report on Veterinary Services.

• Frank Stephen has been accepted as Scottish representative on the Veterinary Development Council. He will ensure that a balanced view from both vets and farmers is put forward.

9. Report from FMD vaccination seminar 15 March

• Many of those present (or other members of their organisations) had been present at the conference which was organised by Scottish Government, NFUS and the Moredun. It was well attended from across the UK and Europe an there had been considerable press coverage.

• We had improved our shared understanding of the implications of vaccination but some key issues remained unresolved including how decisions would be taken, practicalities of delivering vaccine and who would pay.

• While vaccination could benefit the industry as a whole by reducing culling and accelerating a return to normal business, there is no doubt that the minority of farmers in the vaccination zone would suffer considerable losses.

• Stakeholders mentioned that major issues include of funding for disease surveillance and control as well as clear resolution of acceptability of vaccinated meat to retailers and consumers.

• Presentations from this would be found on the Moredun website as well as reports from the discussion groups at http://www.moredun.org.uk/news/future-fmd-control-uk-landmark-conference-discusses-role-vaccination.

10. Brucellosis Surveillance

• The brucellosis risk is reducing, in particular since Ireland is now officially free and has not had a case since 2007.

• Historic import testing protocols include multiple tests carried out on up to three samples. This is now disproportionate to the risk so Scottish Government will shortly bring forward proposals to update the regime.

11. Any Other Business

• Nick Ambrose reminded stakeholders that he has recently circulated the SEARS Biosecurity Plan to all, looking for comments and feedback.

• He offered a reminder that comments are welcomed and will be fed into a meeting with industry representing.

• Simon Hall mentioned that this plan had the potential to unlock some licensing problems and so it was beneficial to set standards which everyone was aware of and could adhere to.

• Alastair Douglas confirmed that the Exercise Silver Birch GB lessons identified report has been published today.

The next meeting will be scheduled to take place on Monday 13th June 2011 at Stirling Market.

Items on the agenda for the next meeting will include risk based TB testing. The team in Glasgow are due to deliver a report at the end of March and we would hope to have well-developed policy proposals to present at the meeting.