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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 29th April 2022
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Vets criticise 'deeply misguided' delay to post-Brexit import checks
"We urge the Government to abandon these plans and close off the threat of causing significant damage to our food and farming industries" - James Russell, BVA.
BVA warns pushing back checks will open the door to diseases such as African Swine Fever.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has issued a statement strongly criticising the Government’s decision to scrap the planned introduction of import checks on animals and animal products coming into the UK from 1 July 2022.

The statement comes after Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Brexit opportunities minister, said that no further import controls on EU goods will be introduced this year. Instead, the Government will develop a “new approach to import controls” that are expected to come into force at the end of 2023.

BVA has repeatedly warned that postponing the inspections, which have already been delayed three times, may have major consequences for animal health and British agriculture, as well as open the door to the spread of illnesses such as African Swine Fever.

James Russell, senior vice president of the BVA, commented: “This move flies in the face not only of common sense, but also of the Government’s commitment to preserving high levels of animal and human health in the UK.

“Diseases such as African Swine Fever have already had a catastrophic impact on agriculture and animal health in parts of Europe and elsewhere globally. With the UK now being outside the EU’s integrated and highly responsive surveillance systems, we have repeatedly warned that delaying veterinary checks further could weaken vital lines of defence against future incursions."

He continued: “To remove the requirement for checks entirely appears deeply misguided; we urge the Government to abandon these plans and close off the threat of causing significant damage to our food and farming industries. If not, the Government must urgently set out how it will safeguard animal health and welfare in the UK in the coming months.”

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.