Scottish Government Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Meeting

MinutesAttendees:
SGRD Livestock Industry
Simon Hall CVO (Scotland) Chair
Mike Lamont
Sheila Voas
Mary Bradley
Angela McMorland
Roy Paterson

Animal Health
Rupert Hine Nigel Miller – NFUS
George Jamieson – NFUS
Mungo Howat – COSLA
Helen O'Neill – COSLA
George Milne – NSA
John Bell – SBCA
Alex Wilson – IAAS
Kim Haywood – NBA
Mike Flynn – SSPCA
Darrell Crothers – SEPA David Logue – BVA
Dan Sumners – BVA
Graeme Baird – SAC
Kim Willoughby – Moredun
Lysan Eppink – BCVA

1. Welcome and Introductions – Simon Hall thanked everyone for attending and round the table introductions were made. Apologies were received from:

• Douglas Scott – SFMTA
• Sylvia Murray – COSLA
• Rob Paul – Animal Health
• Ian Anderson – SAMW
• Pat Glancey – RHA

2. OTF – New Controls – MB gave a positive update on the introduction of the new controls required to support Scotland's OTF status which came into force on 28 February 2010. It was noted that the following communications had been taken forward:
• Animal Health had issued an advisory leaflet incorporating a Parish Testing Interval map to all cattle keepers in Scotland and the North of England
• Distribution of advisory leaflets to markets at local level by DVM's
• Letter from CVO (Scotland) to the “Veterinary Record”
• Articles in the national farming press
• Articles in the regional press

The meeting was informed that research had now been commissioned which would lead to the future delivery of improved surveillance.

There was some discussion on the policy for testing imported animals. It was noted that this policy differed depending on the region involved, with some Animal Health offices testing everything over 42 days old and some only everything over 24 months.

The NBA and NFUS advised that testing all animals over 42 days was causing considerable costs and burdens for farmers and asked whether this could be reviewed. RH acknowledged that there had been a degree of inconsistency in this area and that a review of operational instructions was underway to address that. RH advised that all herds regularly importing cattle from high risk areas such as Ireland should be tested annually at whole herd level (i.e. everything over 42 days old). It was noted that this was to provide better quality surveillance. Some flexibility could be applied around when testing was carried out. How new or reformed herds are defined is also under review to determine exact testing requirements in this situation. SH stated that it was good to hear the issues being raised now and that results from the research commissioned were expected by the end of the year. It was noted that there is currently no date set for changes to testing policy, since it depends on experience of implementing OTF.

3. Post Import testing for Brucellosis and other diseases – SH gave a presentation to the group on the current and future policy for testing of imported animals
• Imports from Third Countries – Mainly horses – obligatory testing done at country of origin – Checks at Border Inspection posts – Sampling and testing at discretion of Official Vet and full cost met by importer.
• Animals from EU Member States – Imported on basis of free status – testing required done at point of origin – No frontier controls – TRACES checks carried out
• Checks at Destination – Risk based – unnecessary and not cost effective to test for every disease – trade from a high risk area should be blocked – Risk from previous behaviour of traders
• Current Regime – Low risk – test everything possibly using multiple tests to detect disease missed by pre export tests – Lowest risk – test risk based proportion to detect non compliance – may need to do fewer but more targeted tests in future if less resources
• Out breaks in free regions – High risk period between introduction and detection – Traceability vital using TRACES and national systems – 13 day standstill gives time to find disease before spreads.
• Costs of checks and tests – Staff time – Laboratory costs borne by Defra – if non compliance importer should pay – EU law against charging traders for routine checks

The general view was that although current arrangements did provide an appropriate level of protection it was acknowledged that in future checks may have to be more targeted to both conserve public funds and to reduce regulatory burdens. The following points were noted :

• Brucellosis now effectively an Exotic disease
• If evidence of disease being imported from other countries, action can be taken under EU legislation.
• Test carried out on cattle from NI after calving – more likely to detect Brucella in that period therefore most effective time to pick up disease if it is there.
• Animal Health try to group testing to reduce the burden – noted that this is not always possible
• Controls important for animals coming from known risk countries.

4. Bluetongue – AM gave a presentation to the group based on a proposal to seek EU approval for the implementation of a GB wide lower risk zone (Blue Zone) as part of an exit strategy for BTV8.

• What is a Blue Zone – A lower risk protection zone that allows continued vaccination and enables controls on imports from other BTV8 Protection Zones.
• Why are we considering this now – 2009 GB surveillance found no evidence of circulating virus – possible on the road to achieving disease eradication – timely to consider exit strategies – Defra and WAG fully on board – Cabinet Secretary agreement to GB plans being presented by Defra to BTV Working Group on 9 March – initial soundings of the Commission were supportive of the proposal – Scottish Industry also supportive
• Benefits – Additional import controls provided by Blue Zone status give better means to protect Scotland against potentially infected imports – Continued vaccination against BTV8 important for both Scotland and England – Slightly easier to move animals out of a lower risk zone.
• Disadvantages – Need to maintain at least current level of surveillance and possibly additional surveillance required by other member states, this additional cost could result in Defra withdrawing the application or attempting to pass on some of the cost to SG – If disease introduced anywhere in GB would need to consider return to full Protection Zone to avoid cross border trade barriers – farmers may stop vaccination if lower risk is perceived
• Alternative – Maintain the status quo – continue with surveillance until enough evidence obtained to consider disease freedom in 2011 – minimum EU Legislative requirement is 2 years evidence of no circulating disease – currently only have 1 year- Risk of importing infected cattle from other BTV8 protection zones in continental Europe which can currently move freely to GB

Industry expressed their support for this proposal and it was agreed that the message to farmers on the importance of continued vaccination and responsible sourcing should be reinforced at every opportunity. The following points were noted:

• The proposal would be considered by the BTV Working group in Brussels on 9 March
• Would hope to implement lower risk zone to coincide with the start of the vector active season if it is agreed
• Industry intention to issue a joint press notice on the continued importance of responsible sourcing and vaccination in the next week or two
• BTV post import test covers all BTV virus types
• Defra will continue at least single test Post import testing in 2010

5. Sheep Scab – MB gave a presentation to the group providing an update on Sheep Scab.

• Industry Working Group – Reconvened December 2009 to agree industry requirements which were – Risk assessment of Biosecurity – co-ordinated treatment period – tackling stigma
• Biosecurity – SAC guidance leaflets updated and reissued to raise awareness and promote biosecurity awareness
• Advisory Treatment Period – National advisory window of 8 weeks prior to annual tupping – aiming for co-ordinated treatment at regional level – can treat at other times if required
• Treatments – VMD have informed that withdrawal period for all 3 OP sheep dip products is now 70 days – Manufacturers of Cypermethrin dips have advised that their authorisations should be withdrawn – VMD press release issued 3 March 2010 – available treatments include 11 injectable and 5 pour on products
• Legislation – Still in draft – will consult working group on final version – aim to introduce before autumn – Farmers will be required to notify suspicion of disease to enable better enforcement of treatment
• Raising Awareness – SAC produced a brief Health Plan Instruction specific to the control of scab which has been made available at recent LMO meetings

The group were disappointed to hear the decision taken by the manufacturers of Cypermethrin sheep dips to withdraw these products from the market. It was agreed that this would have a negative impact on the Scottish initiative to tackle sheep scab.

The change to withdrawal periods for OP dips was also discussed and it was noted that this would affect flock management practice particularly in the organic sector. The following points were also noted:

• Would need to reassess the advisory treatment window in light of the new from the VMD – Consider the Spring rather than the Autumn
• Industry Working Group to be reconvened to review certain aspects of the Scottish initiative in respect of the advisory treatment window
• NFUS agreed to set up the meeting of the Industry Working Group

6. A.O.B

6.1 Reporting Issues – NFUS raised the issue of confidentiality when scab is reported. It was noted that in a recent case the name of the reportee had been discovered by the farmer concerned. It was agreed that this would not happen in normal circumstances but acknowledged that there were exceptional circumstances when identities may have to be disclosed . (i.e. if directed by a court)
6.2 BVD – KH asked for an update on BVD eradication and whether sale of known infected animals could be prevented. KH suggested that robust controls for failed animals to go straight to slaughter were required. It was noted that it is already contrary to conditions of sale at markets to sell animals with a known disease. SH suggested that it should be made reportable and then all infected animals would be known to SG.
6.3 IBR – KH asked the CVO Scotland to investigate the recognition of IBR marker vaccines in order that pedigree cattle previously vaccinated as calves could enter approved bull collection centres for the exporting of semen. SH advised that this was not a straightforward issue and it was agreed to address out with the meeting.
6.4 SEARS Initiative – RP asked the group to note that SEARS are about to embark on an initiative on agreed protocol for biosecurity for staff visiting farms and making this more widely available to stakeholders. It was noted that a link would be circulated to the guidance and protocol and the group were asked to bring this to the attention of their members.

7. It was agreed that another meeting would be convened in approximately 3 months time