Calls for vets’ input in new farm policies

The key role which improving animal health and welfare will play in making Scotland’s largely livestock-orientated agriculture more sustainable means the country’s vets should have greater input into policy development.

Calling for the profession to have a voice on the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB), national chairman of the British Veterinary Association, Malcolm Morley, said that any new system which did not have animal health and welfare at its heart would not be sustainable.

“As the country seeks to transition to a low-carbon future, the new agricultural policy offers a unique opportunity to build on the positive relationship between all sectors of the livestock industry,” said Mr Morley.

He said that reducing the unnecessary losses associated with disease and poor welfare in livestock would play a major role in cutting emissions from the sector – as healthy, wellcared for animals were far more efficient.

Mr Morley also warned MSPs and influencers attending the BVA Scottish branch’s annual dinner held this week in the Scottish Parliament that funding for veterinary education stood on the edge of a precipice.

He said that Scotland’s two veterinary colleges had long been at the forefront of training the profession from around the world – but stated that the funding available for home-grown students currently failed to cover the costs of their training.

“And if moves towards securing improvements in funding are not forthcoming, the profession faces a bleak long-term future,” he warned.

A further plea was issued for a reform of what he termed the UK’s “outdated” Veterinary Act. Having last been updated in 1966, Mr Morley said that the legislation was holding back development.

Midlothian veterinary surgeon Gareth Hateley MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS, a recognised expert in cattle disease surveillance, was elected president of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Scottish branch.

The organisation said that Mr Hateley brought to the role almost 40 years of experience from a rich and varied career spanning farm animal practice, veterinary pathology, disease surveillance and veterinary leadership.

A former president of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, he has also served on groups such as Ruminant Health and Welfare and the Cattle Health Certification Standards and is currently serving on the board of Livestock Health Scotland.

HEALTHY: Experts say well-cared for animals are far more environmentally efficient.