Draft bill on animal welfare welcomed

NO SOONER had the government published its draft animal welfare bill yesterday than MPs were in on the act like dogs at a bone.

Meanwhile, veterinary surgeons and manufacturers of animal medicines presented themselves as arbiters of good welfare on the farm and in the home.

The Westminster Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee immediately announced it is to examine the draft bill, which is aimed at consolidating over 20 items of animal welfare legislation, with a tight deadline of 25 August for submissions. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) said publication of the bill provided a major review that was certainly not before time.

"Owning an animal is a privilege, not a right. With the publication of this bill, and the recent launch of the animal health and welfare strategy, the government has provided the opportunity for society to make this a fact," said Tim Greet, the BVA president.

Earlier in the week, the National Office of Animal Health, which represents animal medicine manufacturers, said the UK classification and distribution systems for drugs needed little change to bring it into line with forthcoming European Union legislation.

"The current systems work to the benefit of human and animal health and offer an appropriate balance between control and availability," it said.

However, the BVA still has reservations about "more liberal" interpretations of EU legislation, particularly on the prescription of antibiotic and anthelminthic drugs where increasing resistance to treatment has given cause for concern.

"Economic policy on competition and free trade must not be allowed to dictate policy in isolation from consideration of animal health and welfare and public health," it says.

THE Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned farmers and mobile dipping contractors that enforcement action can be taken against those who use sheep dip carelessly.

Rob Morris, SEPA’s land unit manager, said: "Dips, especially those containing synthetic pyrethroids, are extremely toxic, even at low concentrations.

"Their improper use and disposal carries a significant risk of contaminating drinking water supplies taken from groundwater and can cause severe damage to aquatic life in rivers."