“ANIMAL health has ceased to be a priority for Animal Health,” said Iain Richards in his final remarks as the president of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons.
Earlier, in the Dunlops Question Time session at the SPVS congress last month, Harvey Locke, president-elect of the BVA, said his association had lost a lot of trust in Animal Health.
The speakers were responding to a question from former BVA president Nicky Paull about LVI rates – especially with the prospect of tendering leading to cheap work rather than quality. Mr Richards said that vets shouldn’t continue to subsidise the work of government: “We don’t have a moral duty to do this.” Keith Cutler, the BCVA president, said there was huge potential for an awful lot of mess, adding: “Tendering is likely to have a hugely adverse effect on surveillance and public health.”
Professor Sandy Trees, RVCS president, said the College would be profoundly concerned if any arrangements were entered into which threatened 24-hour cover for animals in rural areas. Mr Locke said there had been no prior notice on tendering. “The Government just does not seem to learn,” he said, “and it is important that the profession sticks together. We must be very much on our toes. We must not devalue the services we offer. “One disease outbreak could wipe out any savings made by Animal Health.”
Further reports on SPVS congress in next month’s issue.
