Sean Wensley highlights country's efforts to protect animal health
BVA president Sean Wensley has praised Scotland for leading the way on tackling animal welfare problems.
Speaking at the organisation's Annual Scottish Dinner (13 September), Mr Wensley also called on the Scottish government to "ensure hard-won ground on animals welfare was not lost".
"It seems fitting to me that my penultimate speech as BVA President is in Scotland, a country that has led the way on tackling many animal welfare problems," he said.
Mr Wensley highlighted the Scottish government's intention to introduce a Bill to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses.
He also outlined some Scottish initiatives, like the government-led review into exotic pets and projects between the veterinary profession and the NHS to advocate the health harms of passive smoking.
Commenting on Scotland's ongoing efforts to protect animal health and control animal disease, Mr Wensley said:
“Close Government, farmer and vet links must continue to progress the excellent work that has been done so far into the now-notifiable disease Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea (PED); towards eliminating mange from pig herds; and on the eradication scheme for BVD.
"We'd like to see the Government capitalise on this momentum and support farmers and vets in the development of control measures for Johne's disease and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis amongst others.”
Almost 100 guests attended the BVA's Annual Scottish Dinner held at the Scottish Parliament.
Guests included the cabinet secretary for rural economy and connectivity Fergus Ewing MSP, parliamentarians, key representatives from animal health and welfare organisations, and colleagues from across the veterinary profession.
Image (C) BVA
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