SRUC vows to come good on plans for Inverness

While the current inquiry into the provision of veterinary disease surveillance me a s u r e s c o u l d l e a d t o changes in services across S c o t l a n d , t h e S RU C h a s promised to fulfil its plans for investment in new facilities at Inverness after the closure of the existing vet lab.

The sale of land for development at Drummondhill me a n s t h a t t h e c u r r e n t post mortem services provided for farm stock in the area will cease at the beginn i n g o f May. T h e S R U C yesterday said that while much of the post mortem work currently carried out wo u l d n ow b e d o n e o n - farm by local vets backed up by the disease sur veillance team, the new central facilit y outside Edinburgh could handle more complex clinical cases.

SRUC also revealed that while it would be investing £2.8 million in new facilit i e s i n I nve r n e s s i t wa s currently seeking support from other areas with the aim of gaining funding of £ 7 f o r a “g r o u n d - b r e a k - ing” Rural Veterinary Hub at the Inverness Campus, in a partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Currently however staff from the vet lab will move a l o n g w i t h t h e S c o t t i s h Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) team to premises already occupied by the SRUC at Inverness Campus and work alongside the SRUC Epidemiology Research Unit

Other SRUC staff, including advisers, who are currently working there will f l i t t o n e w p r e m i s e s a t Alcaig Farm, near Conon Bridge, a few miles from Dingwall Mart.

Caroline Argo, Dean of SRUC’S North Faculty, said: “SRUC has a long history in Inverness and we’re looking for ward to being part of a new centre of excellence with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. We are developing fur ther plans f o r I nve r n e s s a n d s e e k - ing funding for an exciting new venture that will provide a real benefit to the region.”

She said that the decision to end post-mortem examinations in Inverness had not been taken lightly:

“Disease vigilance is vital for the whole of S cotland and we are here to support livesto ck vets across the region so there is a minimal effect on services.”

Argo added that the move was in line with a planned move away from post-mort e m p r o v i s i o n t o w a r d s greater co-operation with veterinary practices to support the diagnosis, the control and the prevention of disease.

Mar tin Birse, the NFUS regional chairman in the area said that while it was sad to see the vet lab close, having the specialist dise a s e s u r v e i l l a n c e v e t s wo r k i n g i n c o n j u n c t i o n wi t h l o c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r s would ensure that expert knowledge and expertise was maintained across the Highlands and Islands.

bhenderson@farming.co.uk