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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th February 2018
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‘Critical’ role of vets recognised in Brexit report
“It is reassuring to see that animal welfare is high on the agenda for future negotiations around trade in food."
BVA welcomes recommendations from Efra Committee 

MPs are calling on the government to support the veterinary workforce, so it can meet the needs of the UK’s food industry after Brexit.

The recommendation came in a new report, ‘Brexit: Trade in Food’, which was published by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee.

Authors of the report said non-British EU veterinary surgeons are ‘critical’ to the UK’s veterinary workforce. They urged the government to set out how it will ensure working rights for these vets currently in the UK, and how it will support the veterinary workforce going forward.

MPs also said the UK’s high animal welfare, environmental and food standards must not be ‘sacrificed on the altar of cheap imports’. The committee said it would hold environment secretary Michael Gove to his assurances that these standards will not be compromised.

Commenting on the report, BVA president John Fishwick said: “We welcome the strong message this report conveys on the need to maintain the UK’s high animal welfare, environmental and food standards in trade as we leave the EU.

“It is reassuring to see that animal welfare is high on the agenda for future negotiations around trade in food and that the vital role of vets in upholding these standards is fully recognised by the EFRA Committee.”

The report also calls for better country of origin labelling and mandatory method of production labelling when we leave the EU. Mr Fishwick said the BVA hopes this will include clear labelling on the method of slaughter so consumers can make an informed choice about eating meat from stunned or non-stunned animals.

He added: “We look forward to seeing how these recommendations are taken forward by the Government to ensure that the veterinary workforce is fully supported and the UK has the capacity to meet the challenges that Brexit may pose in trade in food.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.