January 27, 2010

UK propose changes in animal health issues

The UK's Environment Secretary has proposed for major changes in a new bill on animal health to better protect the livestock industry from diseases.

The UK government has consulted on proposals for the livestock sector to pay some of the costs of animal disease monitoring and prevention, which are currently met by DEFRA. These cost-sharing measures will be introduced under a future finance bill. Cost and responsibility sharing for the livestock industry was recommended by Sir Iain Anderson in his report on the 2001 foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.

The UK's Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn said prevention measures against the effects of potentially devastating diseases like FMD, bluetongue and African horse sickness from animals and humans would cost the public about GBP400 million (US$645 million) a year.

According to Benn, the proposals are in response to Sir Iain Anderson's report. He added with belief that the industry can contribute to decisions about animal health through the partnership with new animal health body. Hence, it will produce better management of disease and reduce overall risks and costs. This approach was successful in tackling bluetongue, where industry and the government developed a vaccination policy together and shared the cost of the vaccine.

"This bill will therefore set up a joint government industry body to make animal health decisions in future, proposals for cost sharing will come forward in a future finance bill" he continued.

Other measures in the draft Animal Health Bill include:

• Making statutory the role of UK chief veterinary officer, based at DEFRA.
   
• A new chief veterinary officer for England.
   
• Widening existing powers in England and Wales to collect and test veterinary samples and to vaccinate animals.
   
• Simplifying payments for slaughtered animals or property seized or destroyed for disease control purposes in England and Wales.
   
• The proposed animal health organisation would be led by an independent chair and board.