New post-mortem provider for Wales
The APHA's site in Aberystwyth closed on August 31.
A contract for the provision of post-mortem exams has been awarded to lechyd Da - a Welsh consortium of independent veterinary practices.
Revealing the news, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA, formerly AHVLA), said the new service will be introduced in stages.
The APHA's site in Aberystwyth closed on August 31. Over the course of this year, six of the 14 other APHA centres also closed - Newcastle, Luddington, Langford, Preston, Sutton Bonington and Truro. The closures form part of the Government's new system of scanning surveillance for new and re-emerging animal diseases.
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh deputy minister for farming and food, commented: "This announcement will mean that private vets and farmers will have better access to post-mortem examination and diagnostic services.
"As demonstrated by the recent avian flu outbreak, there are constant threats to animal health and having improved coverage will strengthen surveillance here in Wales and will help to detect and manage these risks."
Since the closure of the Aberystwyth centre, carcases have been delivered to a collection point at Lampeter (or from the farm depending on its location) after discussion with an APHA veterinary investigation officer. Until the new service is in operation, this arrangement will continue.
lechyd Da will work alongside Aberystwyth University from the old APHA Veterinary Investigation Centre in Aberystwyth. From early 2015, the consortium will be available to support veterinary businesses in their diagnostic work.
Initially, a post-mortem examination (PME) service will cover those areas located within an hour's journey from the former APHA centre. Following this, a carcase collection centre will become available for North Wales, then a combination of carcase collection and PME satellite sites in the remaining areas. These will be determined after a consultation with vets in the area. Further details will be published early next year.
Veterinary businesses in Wales will be able to contact their nearest PME facility for diagnostic support - full contact details will published in early 2015. Carcases on premises within an hour's travel from the Aberystwyth PME facility will need to be delivered to the centre from early next year. lechyd Da is working to put in place a carcase transport service for a wider area, to extend to North Wales.
lechyd Da and Aberystwyth University will also form part of an enhanced scanning surveillance network with APHA, the veterinary profession and livestock industry.
Professor Chris Thomas, pro vice-chancellor at Aberystwyth University, said: "Given the importance of animal agriculture to the economy of Wales, and the role that good animal health has to the economic and biological efficiency of livestock production systems, the University is delighted to be working in collaboration with Iechyd Da to provide this important service to veterinary practitioners and their clients."
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