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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th October 2010
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The Reform of Public Bodies
As part of the Government’s commitment to reform and review all public services, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, has now summarised plans to substantially reform a large number of public bodies, including Defra. 

The intention of Ministers is to simplify all of Defra’s arm’s-length bodies (ALBs), both for the department and its customers. According to the minister, this will include restructuring the provision of scientific advice and the replacing a number of existing advisory bodies.

After these reforms, the number of remaining public bodies under Defra will be reduced to 32.

Some of the changes to be made include:
  • The abolishment of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy England Implementation Group
  • The substantial reform of the Environment Agency, including  structural and cultural changes.
  • The reconstitution of the Farm Animal Welfare Council, the Veterinary Residues Committee and the Zoos Forum as a ‘committee of experts’.
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: “Defra’s current delivery network contains over 90 arm’s-length bodies and there have been difficult decisions to make in order to achieve the best value for money in this challenging economic climate. The announcement today confirms that the number of Defra’s arm’s length bodies will reduce by over half.

“But the changes announced today also reflect the government’s view that it should only carry out those functions which only government can do, while harnessing the power of civil society and the private sector to help deliver Defra’s objectives.”

For more information and to see all the changes that will be made please click here.

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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Dechra launches checklist for veterinary sustainability

Global animal health specialist Dechra has announced the world's first Veterinary Green Theatre Checklist (VGTC) to help make surgery more sustainable.

Endorsed by leading veterinary organisations, including the BEVA, BVNA and RCVS Knowledge, the checklist is designed to reduce the environmental footprint of veterinary care, while supporting better animal health outcomes.

The checklist was launched at the World Congress of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia in Paris and will be followed by an internal training and awareness campaign. For more information, visit dechra.com