BVA Welcomes National Audit Office FMD Report
21 June 2002
'There are any number of lessons to be learned in readiness for the next disease outbreak, not least implementation of the recommendations contained in the Drummond report which, in 1998/99, warned that a rapid spread of FMD could quickly overwhelm the State Veterinary Service's resources, particularly if a number of separate outbreaks occurred at the same time. As Mr David Byrne, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection has pointed out, our pre-occupation with BSE has over-stretched veterinary services and prior to last year's outbreak, proposals to strengthen measures in relation to FMD would almost certainly have been considered a diversion from the political priority attached to BSE.
'The BVA is only too aware that the ability to act swiftly and decisively in the early stages of an outbreak is vital and we are currently looking at a better public/private partnership for vets doing public work. The State Veterinary Service simply cannot afford to experience a shortage of vets again.'
Notes for Editors:
- For further information please contact Chrissie Nicholls or Helena Cotton at the BVA on 020 7636 6541.
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