April 4, 2011
UK to benefit from animal health union
UK's ability to fight against animal disease will progress under the union of the Animal Health agency and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), according to Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary, Caroline Spelman.
The two agencies will merge on April 1 to form the Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency, which will provide veterinary services across Great Britain.
Spelman, who announced the merger as part of her review of Defra's Arms Length bodies last June, said, "These two agencies both work to combat animal diseases, and by bringing together their services, expertise and scientific capability, we will improve our resilience and create a strong organisation that provides a range of services from on farm advice and emergency response to the world-class laboratory work and science for which we are rightly recognised."
In a further shake-up of animal health policy in England, Defra ministers are expected to reveal their response to a recommendation for a Partnership Board to take responsibility for animal health and welfare policy in England soon.
The announcement was due this week but has been delayed and may now be made next week.
The recommendation by Rosemary Radcliffe's advisory group for a board of appointed Defra and industry representatives to become the sole source of advice on animal health and welfare to ministers, has generally been welcomed within the farming and veterinary industry.
However, it was rejected as a sham by the National Farmers Union (NFU). NFU president, Peter Kendall, has warned that the unaccountable body could be used to justify far reaching spending cuts affecting the cattle industry.
At February's NFU conference, Defra Secretary, Caroline Spelman, hinted she would be prepared to compromise to ensure the union supported the concept.
