Brexit a big deal for vets
THE panic is setting in.
There just won’t be enough of us. We will be spread too thinly. There won’t be enough hours in the day. Or the night.
The clock is ticking inexorably towards it and we still don’t know what is going to happen. And it is not a pleasant feeling at all.
Brexit will affect some veterinary surgeons just as much as, if not more than, it will other businesses and professions.
The big headache (and the one that is keeping me awake at night) is that we don’t know what it will mean or if we will be able to cope.
You may think that all that we vets do is vaccinate puppies, spay cats and calve cows but many practices also provide crucial veterinary support to businesses that March 2 ■ South West Scotland Gun Dog Association open show, Lanark Agricultural Centre, 9.30am. March 3 ■ East of Scotland Canine Clubs open show in the Jack Kane Centre, Edinburgh, 9.45am. March 23 ■ Gun Dog Breeds Assoction export animal goods (known as products of animal origin or POAO) all over the world.
The range of POAO is myriad and includes meat, blood products, hides, bone charcoal, fish oil and so on.
Quite simply, veterinary certification is required for these items because we are trusted and we have knowledge of both animal and human health issues.
The process involves ensuring consignments are safe while still being fit for purpose, thus preventing the global spread of disease.
But a huge problem is looming. The UK enjoys free of Scotland open show in Perth. Secretary: Mrs Sandra Sturrock, Maryhill Farm, Marykirk, Laurencekirk AB30 1UT. Tel: 07553 771786. Entries close March 5/online March 13. ■ Scottish Toy Dog Societies open show, Lanark. Secretary: Mr B Joiner, 2 Corby Craig Avenue, Bilston, EH25 9TL. Tel: 0131 440 2560. Entries close March 2. March 31 ■ Cairn Terrier Clubs trade with the rest of Europe and veterinary input is only required for POAO being imported and exported to and from so called Third Countries (such as China, USA, Australia etc).
If there is a no-deal Brexit (or even if there isn’t) then the UK may be viewed by the rest of the EU as a Third Country with all the implications associated with that status.
So why am I worried? Suddenly, veterinary presence may be required for every consignment that is destined for across the Channel.
With vets everywhere already stretched to the limit ( for reasons that are best left for another day), my fear is that even more stress will rain down upon the profession.
Right now, we could really do without it.
SHOW NEWS
championship show in Alva. Secretary: Ms H Miller, Ardnagar, Kinleith, Currie, Edinburgh, EH14 6AS. Tel 0131 449 4470. Entries close March 6. April 7 ■ Angus and Kincardinshire Canine Association limited show in Forfar. Secretary: Mr DP Mowbray, Alcacus, Craig Redford, Carmyllie DD11 2RE. Tel: 01241 860528. Entries close March 8.