BVA North of Ireland Dinner - Presidential Speech
BVA Annual North of Ireland Diner - Dr Freda Scott-Park's Presidential Speech
Galgorm Manor, Ballymena
My Lord, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the BVA North of Ireland Dinner. It is a great pleasure to find myself once again in Northern Ireland in the company of many old friends - and hopefully new ones.
I am delighted that this is one of the first engagements of a new BVA President’s year. The hospitality and kindness of the Irish is rightly legendary and greatly ease the trepidation with which I, like my predecessors, commence my first formal speaking engagement!
Were there the time, I would tonight have liked to address a variety of issues including the new Animal Welfare Bill, not least the Government’s decision not to ban outright the docking of puppies’ tails; the BVA’s work in helping our members to address clients’ concerns relating to canine ‘flu, pets’ diets, MRSA and vaccinations; and last, but by no means least, Avian Influenza.
But time is limited, and the issues I am going to concentrate on are those addressed at the recent extremely successful BVA Congress. They are themes common not only to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but to the worldwide veterinary community. I refer in particular to biosecurity, rural veterinary practice, veterinary medicines and veterinary education.
The term biosecurity is one which is frequently bandied about, but with little or no real understanding of the term. One of the most telling comments at this year’s conference was made by Matt Makin, the President of the Australian Veterinary Association, describing his arrival in the UK by air.
No announcement on the aircraft about the laws concerning the importation of meat or dairy products. Despite having given his occupation as a veterinary surgeon on his landing card, no one asked about his last contact with animals. There were no sniffer dogs and few if any obvious checks on luggage or people. “Is that all?” Matt and his wife asked each other. That I think paints a very sad picture of our real attitude to biosecurity, although current concerns over Avian Influenza would appear to have started to concentrate minds.
I understand that in Northern Ireland you do have a more rigorous regime and approach to travellers arriving in your ports, but I must confess that it wasn’t particularly obvious to me arriving here. I tell you this not to cause you embarrassment but rather to alert you to the perceptions if not the risks, should you be complacent about the controls you have in place.
Historically, the fact that we live on islands has been of tremendous benefit in terms of the UK and Ireland’s animal health status. In this new era of increased global trade and increasing air travel - including avian - such an advantage is of decreasing effectiveness. Our control arrangements need to reflect this new reality.
This leads me into my next but related topic, the future of rural veterinary practice. I understand that there are at present approximately 100 practices in Northern Ireland, many of which are large animal or mixed practices. Somewhat paradoxically the higher levels of Bovine TB in Northern Ireland, compared to the rest of GB have helped preserve this situation, and this has brought benefits in terms of disease surveillance.
This situation is now under threat, not only from the downturn in TB levels, although that is welcome, but from changes in agriculture such as the single farm payment and the overall downturn in agricultural incomes. Thus, while historically Northern Ireland has seen the benefits to animal welfare and disease surveillance of frequent veterinary visits to farms, this situation is showing signs of changing in much the same way as it already has in the rest of GB.
Changes within Government also threaten this position. In Northern Ireland the Veterinary Science Division has always provided a free or heavily subsidised post mortem service. As a result the number of animals submitted has been maintained at a high level over the years. The move to a Non Departmental Public Body may well lead to a full cost recovery service which could severely reduce the number of animals being submitted. This will not only affect the service to farmers but also the effectiveness of disease surveillance and I would urge you to think carefully about these wider implications.
Another pressure on rural veterinary practices is the vexatious issue of veterinary medicines. Following the Competition Commission’s 2003 report, legislation bringing in the ‘no prescription-fee’ legislation from the Dti has been laid before Parliament. There is no doubt that the changes to the prescribing and dispensing of veterinary medicines being introduced will have a fundamental effect on veterinary practice, especially so in rural practices. It is yet another change facing rural practices which will challenge their ability to be competitive and to be able to attract and keep young veterinary surgeons.
I now turn to a subject which I believe is of particular relevance to Northern Ireland, namely veterinary education. As I am sure you are aware, there are currently 6 veterinary schools in the UK and one in Ireland. A new school is currently being set up in Nottingham, which will take its first intake in autumn 2006.
It would appear that the provision of veterinary education is thus well provided for. But that is only part of the equation. The major concern for all of us, including the schools, is the costs and funding. Currently Government provides approximately £13000 per student, which is well short of the actual cost to the school. Government intends that the shortfall will be made up of fees payable by the student up to a maximum of £3000. The indications are that veterinary schools will be charging that maximum, not surprising as even the resulting £16000 per place remains short of the actual cost. This contrasts with human medicine where in addition to the higher education funding of £13000, the DHSS provides a further £40000 per place per year.
We have serious concerns that the level of debt that these changes will engender will dissuade students from applying for the Veterinary Medicine course. Naturally students from Northern Ireland are likely to be further disadvantaged by the additional travel costs from home.
It is hard to imagine a student emerging after 5 years with debts in the region of £30000 - £40000 opting for a job in a struggling rural practice rather than a better paid more lifestyle-friendly career in companion animal practice!
But finally and in closing I would like to highlight a wonderful opportunity in the wider animal health and welfare arena.
With all of the challenges which face animal health there appears to the profession, with the developments in herd health scheme and in Animal Health and Welfare strategies, a real intention to do something about our animal health status before it declines further.
We believe that a better balance of the risks and cost between Government, Industry and Vets will provide a sustainable model which is capable of making progress towards improving animal health and welfare to the benefit of both us and our animals.
I make no apology for highlighting the innovative actions of Scotland in including animal health and welfare as part of the land management contracts under the Rural Development Plan. This has been well received by Scottish farmers and the animal health and welfare contract is the scheme with the second largest uptake in their wide range of schemes.
We need to be innovative and forward thinking and I direct that comment not only to Government but also to Industry and vets. In spite of all the difficulties I know that we have the intellect, inventiveness and desire to make our Industry more competitive and sustainable. I challenge us all to take the risks necessary to make it so.
Thank-you.