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Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain
In June 2001 I launched the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. This recognised the significant contribution which the farming community makes to the Scottish environment, economy and society. The Animal Health and Welfare Strategy complements the Forward Strategy. It recognises the benefits which enhanced animal health and welfare can bring in supporting industry profitability, promoting Scotland's reputation for quality and for improving the welfare of animals themselves. This is a GB strategy, recognising that disease knows no boundaries and because there is much we can all learn from practice elsewhere across GB. There is much that Scotland can offer to this process. We have a well developed practice of working in partnership with stakeholders. We have a history of innovation and we also offer a significant science base through the research being undertaken by institutes such as the Moredun and Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities. On this firm base we are well placed to take Scotland forward into an era of quality and sustainability in livestock production.
As far as disease is concerned, prevention is better than cure. Government has established tighter controls to stop illegal imports of animal products from entering the country. We have encouraged the wider use of proper standards of biosecurity. A UK Surveillance Strategy has been developed with the emphasis on partnership and dissemination of the information gathered. Where prevention is not enough, we have worked hard to make sure that the impact of disease can be minimised. Animal disease contingency plans have been developed, and exercises are now a regular event to improve readiness and help refine and improve these plans. We have promoted the need for good training and awareness of the signs of disease amongst animal keepers to identify problems at an early stage. A comprehensive review of welfare legislation is taking place, which should result in significant practical improvements in the way standards are enforced.
We have made a solid start and laid the foundations for achieving higher animal health and welfare. Through this Strategy, we hope continually to raise standards, which will yield numerous benefits for all. Initiatives such as animal health planning will help raise farm profitability, benefiting not only animals, but also the rural and wider economy. Health plans also provide an excellent opportunity to improve consumer confidence and support our reputation for quality produce. This can do nothing but help our efforts to re-establish Scottish beef in European markets when the export ban is lifted. Everybody stands to benefit from the successful delivery of the strategy, so government and all other stakeholders must take it forward in partnership. We will work to strengthen this partnership. There are many opportunities out there, so let us use the initiatives of the Strategy to seize them. The good work that is being undertaken is set out in the Scottish Implementation Plan, first published in December 2003. It sets out the broad range of work currently in place. It will be updated every year as a vehicle for raising standards and ensuring continued understanding of our objectives and discussion as to what has been achieved.
Ross Finnie
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