Changes at Defra after Cabinet reshuffle
Jim Paice, Farming Minister, and Caroline Spelman, Defra Secretary, have both been replaced in the Cabinet reshuffle. David Heath will take over as Farming Minister and Owen Paterson as Secretary of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed Mr Heath, Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, and Mr Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, to their new roles.
Carl Padgett, BVA President, said: “The BVA has enjoyed a very good relationship with Defra with Caroline Spelman and Jim Paice at the helm. They both showed a huge amount of respect for the scientific views and expertise of the veterinary profession.
“The bold policy decision taken on bovine TB underlined their understanding of the importance of veterinary scientific evidence as well as the needs of the farming community and we are grateful that they led on such a difficult political issue.
“On other important issues such as dangerous dogs, microchipping, wild animals in circuses and welfare at slaughter we have consistently been given a fair hearing and the opportunity to put forward the views of the veterinary profession.
“We welcome Owen Paterson and David Heath to their new roles and very much look forward to working with them. Bovine TB policy is at a critical stage and we are keen to ensure they are fully briefed on the latest scientific evidence.
“In the not-too-distant future we are also expecting a consultation on welfare at slaughter and movement on the policy for compulsory microchipping of dogs and again we will work with the new ministerial team to input the veterinary profession’s expertise.”
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
