Vets call for action on welfare legislation
The British Veterinary Association has urged the Scottish Government to make progress with secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 at its annual dinner, hosted in the Scottish Parliament by John Scott MSP.
The need for tangible outcomes on veterinary surveillance was also brought to attention, as was increased resources for the Highlands and Islands Veterinary Services Scheme (HIVSS) and compulsory microchipping for dogs, in an address by BVA President Carl Padgett.
Speaking at the dinner, which was attended by parliamentarians, key representatives of animal health and welfare organisations, the agri-food industry and senior members of the veterinary profession, Mr Padgett said: “Human attitudes to animals have come on leaps and bounds in recent decades, underpinned by the momentous Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
“While BVA supported the introduction of the legislation… we know that its strength lies in its enforcement and in the secondary legislation it enables.
“As a member of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare we have recently questioned the Cabinet Secretary on the level of progress made on secondary legislation under the Act. Five years since it came into force and we are yet to see proposals from the Government on pet vending, animal sanctuaries, livery yards, riding establishments, boarding kennels, dog breeding and performing animals.”
Mr Padgett went on to address the subject of veterinary surveillance, citing the Schmallenberg virus and 'bleeding calf syndrome' as reminders of the "vital importance of a robust veterinary surveillance system and the value of collaboration at the highest level internationally."
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
