ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE STRATEGY ADVISORY GROUP
MEETING 29 JUNE, PENTLAND HOUSE
MINUTES
Members
Charles Milne - Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland), Chair
Andy Robertson - Chief Executive, NFU Scotland
Stuart Reid - Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
Julie Fitzpatrick - Chief Executive, Moredun Research Institute
Mike Robson - Scottish Branch, BVA
Bill McKelvey - Chief Executive, SAC
Stuart Earley - Chief Executive, SSPCA
Christopher Wathes - Chairman, FAWC
Present
Christopher Wathes - Chairman, FAWC
Andy McGowan - QMS
Neil Ritchie - Animal Health & Welfare Division, SE Rural Directorate
Brian Logan - Animal Health & Welfare Division, SE Rural Directorate
Ian Strachan - Animal Health & Welfare Division, SE Rural Directorate
Andrew Voas - Veterinary Division, SE Rural Directorate
1. Apologies
Ian Anderson - Animal Health & Welfare Division, SE Rural Directorate
Donald Biggar - Chairman, QMS
2. Introduction and matter arising
Charles Milne (CM) welcomed a new addition to the group - Stuart Earley had replaced Kay Driver as Chief Executive of SSPCA.
This was the first meeting of the Advisory Group since the elections. CM gave an overview of the new, Directorate based, Executive structure and reported positive feedback on new Ministers.
CM reported on the two UK disease outbreaks of significance since the group last met:
- Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza was identified at a Bernard Matthews poultry farm in Suffolk which led to a large number of birds being culled. This highlighted that we are still susceptible to outbreaks of this nature.
- Low pathogenic H7N2 avian influenza was identified in North Wales with a movement associated with a market in England. There were a number of potential human contacts.
In the European context there have been two outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in commercial poultry flocks in the Czech Republic. Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has also been detected in wild birds (6 swans and a goose) in Germany.
Also of concern is a large outbreak of African Swine Fever in Georgia which may result in the country losing its entire pig population. There are links from Georgia to Scotland with oil workers travelling between the two countries. HM Revenue and Customs are fully informed and will enforce against illegal meat importation.
Bluetongue has been isolated in one sentinal animal in Germany. This was the first indication that the virus may have survived the winter. While this is only one animal it is still a cause for concern.
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and all action points are in hand.
3. Presentation by Prof. Christopher Wathes of the Farm Animal Welfare Council and discussion on welfare indicators.
Christopher Wathes (CW) explained the current work of FAWC and early ideas of key welfare indicators. This included highlighting some of the criteria which indicators will need to meet.
Andy McGowan (AM) reported on the relevant work QMS was doing on the Red Meat Assurance Scheme, which is being launched next week. This approach involves SAC training SSPCA inspectors in use of Qualitative Behavioural Assessment. The training provision is based on the Executive supported R & D programme at SAC on welfare assessment. The inspectors will accompany the QMS farm assurance assessors making farm visits between now and next spring to determine the practicality of this approach for inclusion in the QMSFA standards. This is a qualitative assessment rather than a quantitative exercise and focuses on output rather than on inputs. An outcome based approach was agreed to be the way forward. Findings will be backed up by an audit process in order to meet validity criteria and avoid subjectivity. It was agreed that this was an approach which could add value and might work even better if operated throughout GB. Communicating the benefits of this approach to farmers will be important and the involvement of all organisations will greatly assist a smooth introduction.
Action point 1: Donald Biggar to provide feedback to CM once analysis starts.
CW agreed that some of the work in Farm Assurance Schemes could be used as a starting point and argued that it would be possible to complete a report now. Some thought that a report using the current information eg Animal Health agency welfare inspections and SSPCA work would be a good start. It would provide a list of what is currently available in Scotland and explore how easily measurable indicators are. It was noted that we need measures which are practicably acceptable and must ensure that data providers can see the link between what they provide and what is being suggested.
Action point 2: Andrew Voas to identify what welfare measures are available in Scotland.
CW confirmed that FAWC would be able to provide good advice about a year from now and is looking to get government across GB involved in discussions as soon as possible.
Action point 3: CW to keep CM informed as to when 3 country discussions will take place and ensure Scotland is involved in event planning.
4. Monitoring progress on the 12 priority diseases
Group members provided feedback on the two background papers. These are designed as annexes and will be used as a tool to monitor how we are progressing against the 12 priority diseases over time. The group thought the format was good and that once the research section is beefed up, the key information will be covered. It was suggested that there should be a distinction made between zoonotic diseases and those of economic significance to industry - it is important to show the economic impact of disease if reduction measures are to be sold to industry. The group had some concern over the Bovine TB situation elsewhere in GB and how it might impact on Scottish interests.
Action point 4: CM asked the group to feed in their own milestones so we can get full coverage and take joint ownership. It was agreed that milestones should be made SMART.
CM then highlighted that a number of targets have yet to be set. In response AM reported on his work with Wholesome Pigs and estimated that a realistic target would be a reduction in positive herds from 50% (current) down to 40% by 2014. While this does not seem a big reduction there are difficulties in so far as some producers prefer to let herds remain positive and control disease through vaccination as this can be the cheaper option. With this in mind, a better measure might be to aim to reduce those pig carcasses showing lesions of a score of above 1.5 by 50%.
Action point 5: AM to draft a paper on using lesions as an indicator detailing baseline incidence, the target over the lifetime of the strategy and the likely impact on welfare and profitability.
Results of research on sheep scab are now available making it possible to consider what level of reduction in incidence to aim for. Setting a realistic target will tie in with what disease control options are most acceptable and likely to be adopted as practical and effective methods. The Industry Working Group will consider this as part of their consideration of the implementation of a compulsory treatment period.
Action point 6: Industry Working Group to consider sheep scab target in the Autumn.
It was agreed that for Johnes, diagnostics and control should be the milestone.
There was a discussion around equine laminitis which the BHS is keen to see remain a target. There was a suggestion that we could target equine grass sickness at the same time, and phrase meeting targets around an education programme.
Action point 7: NR will put together a paper on equine laminitis/grass sickness.
Reservations were expressed about the mastitis target. It was suggested that we need to rethink the indicators and measure cows going to slaughter instead.
Action point 8: JF will provide a paper on potential mastitis indicators.
5. Disease priorities for farmers: QMS/ SAC paper
AM spoke on the recently completed and widely circulated QMS report. Research for the report was carried out by SAC on behalf of QMS with the purpose of informing spending decisions internally within QMS and bigger Executive funded work on cost/benefit modelling. This is a robust piece of research using a purely Scottish sample and findings echoed closely the Moredun survey. The only surprise was the almost total absence of fertility issues. This is probably a misconception with farmers recognising certain issues as syndromes rather than as disease which highlights a possible need for us to consider these wider issues and look at multi-factorial syndromes.
CM commented that the report was very useful. The work will help us to identify what concerns are out there and allow us to tie our targets to these.
6. AOB
NR provided an update on responsibility and cost sharing. In particular it was noted that Defra were planning to issue a consultation document on this in the near future. It was likely that this would be an England only consultation. Whilst Scottish Ministers are not against the principals of responsibility and cost sharing the Scottish Government's view was that more development was required before an effective consultation could be undertaken. Similar views were held by industry who highlighted the importance of effective industry engagement and consideration of issues such as affordability. Considerable work was also needed to establish what responsibility sharing means and how it could operate, particularly when an important role of government was to take into account a wider range of issues than industry.
Action point 9: NR will help keep the group informed around the publication of the Defra consultation to aid preparation and coordination of responses.
NR gave an update on the Scottish Veterinary Working Group. This had met at the end of May and had led to a good discussion on practical support which could be reasonably supplied to Scottish large animal practices. As part of this Lantra and the Enterprise Networks will provide information on sources of public support available to veterinary practices and BVA will provide case studies on good business practices. AHW Division will compile a paper, reporting the group's findings, by the Autumn.
It was commented that it is necessary to get a balance between what veterinary practices can offer and what farmers would like from them. It is also important that rural practices know what it is that government wants and if government will guarantee levels of work. It is important to recognise that we may need to see substantially differing approaches in rural areas.
CM sought the group's views on whether we need to hold a conference this year. Politically this could be an opportunity to draw the Minister in but in terms of size of event the consensus was that a smaller, probably invitation only event, is the most suitable option.
Action point 10: Gordon Struth will circulate a paper with initial thoughts for consideration by the group.
CM confirmed that the 3 chairs meeting will take place in September.
The focus of the next Advisory Group meeting will be the conference and a discussion on targets. With bluetongue in mind, it was agreed to look at vector borne disease in general.
CM closed the meeting by thanking all for their attendance.
AHW Division
2 July 2007
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