Involvement in Welsh Government decisions

Peter Jones, president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), has championed the role of the veterinary surgeon in surveillance and welfare.

Mr Jones also stressed the need for the veterinary profession to be involved in decisions about the future of veterinary surveillance and Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) in Wales.

His comments came at the BVA's annual Welsh dinner during his address to the minister for natural resources and food, Alun Davies AM, alongside parliamentarians and key members of the veterinary profession, animal health and welfare organisations and the agri-food industry.

"The BVA has been involved in responding to the Surveillance 2014 project both in Wales and in England and our message is clear – any changes to our surveillance system must be driven by improvements to delivery mechanisms and not simply a cost-cutting measure," he explained.

"Surveillance systems must also embrace veterinary practitioners. The farmer-private vet-laboratory vet triad is the cornerstone of early detection."

Mr Jones added that the BVA wants to see all animals stunned before slaughter and looks forward to hearing the Welsh Government's plans regarding restricting non-stunned slaughter and reducing the welfare harm involved.

Furthermore, concerned about the profession's involvement in decisions about AHVLA, Mr Jones said: "As the role of AHVLA post-2015 is being reviewed in Wales, we want – and need – to be a part of that conversation.

"Our members working in AHVLA, as well as our member in private practice, are best-placed to input into those decisions from the frontline."