Ebook Outline of an animal health and welfare strategy for Great Britain
Major outbreaks of animal disease, and the control policies which are used to contain them, have widespread adverse implications for many people beyond the obvious and direct effects on animal health, welfare and productivity. This was reflected in the response to our consultation. Similarly some animal infections pose a risk to human health and the environment. These can lead to food safety risks and scares, food shortages, adverse effects on the rural economy, and destabilisation of markets or trade restrictions.
This outline strategy deals most fully with farm livestock health and welfare, although it sets out the principles of partnership working and the reasons for Government intervention more widely.
There are several reasons why we have started with farm livestock:
- a general belief in the country (following BSE and the recent foot and mouth disease outbreak) that the current situation is unacceptable;
- recommendations in the independent inquiry reports published since foot and mouth disease that a more strategic approach is needed to farm animal health policies;
- the importance given to animal health and welfare in the agricultural strategies produced by the three Administrations Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food (Defra), Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, and the Future of Farming in Wales.
The Animal Health and Welfare Strategy to be published next Spring should deal more fully with horses (working, recreational, sporting), dogs and other small animals (as pets and in other contexts), minor livestock species, wildlife, birds and fish than this outline strategy does. We need to develop knowledge of the wider animal keeping world and to discuss further with stakeholders what more is needed in other sectors. Some are already subject to their own strategies, for example A Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture, Defra’s commitment to developing a strategy for the horse industry in its broadest definition and the Welsh Ewe Genotyping Programme.
Contents
Foreword
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
- 1.1 Why do we need a Strategy?
1.2 A Strategy for Great Britain
1.3 Consultation process
2. Vision for the future
- 2.1 The vision
2.2 Strategic outcomes
3. Roles and responsibilities
- 3.1 The key players
3.2 Animal keepers
3.3 Veterinarians
3.4 Livestock and food chain related businesses or services
3.5 Consumers
3.6 Rural, environmental & animal welfare interest groups
3.7 Research, education and skills providers
3.8 Farmland and countryside users
3.9 Government
3.10 The reasons for intervention
- (i) Human health
(ii) Wider economy/society
(iii) Trade
(iv) Welfare
3.11 Pets & other companion animals
3.12 Horses
3.13 Wildlife
3.14 Balancing costs, benefits and risk
3.15 Disease priorities
4. Where are we now?
- 4.1 Defining a baseline
4.2 Key challenges
5. A new approach
- 5.1 Role of veterinary practice
5.2 Partnership
5.3 Best Practice at home and abroad
5.4 Farm Health and Welfare Planning
5.5 Investing in the future – training/education/advice and skills
5.6 Responsible use of veterinary medicines
5.7 Sharing risks and costs
6. Measuring success
- 6.1 Delivery
6.2 Implementation plans
6.3 What will success look like?
6.4 Measuring change
How to comment
- Annex A Themes from the consultation exercise
Annex B Management of the strategy
Annex C Key delivery agents
Annex D Delivery milestones
Annex E Implementation plan framework
Annex F Notifiable diseases
Glossary
Download
PDF Ebook Outline of an animal health and welfare strategy for Great Britain
Posted in :
