APPENDIX 26
Memorandum submitted by the British Veterinary
Association (P26)
1. The British Veterinary Association (BVA)
is the national representative body for the veterinary profession
in the United Kingdom. In fulfilling this role, we naturally take
a keen interest in all issues affecting the veterinary profession,
be they animal health, animal welfare, public health or employment
concerns.
2. The BVA has consistently and persistently
called for Government to approach the TB problem in a more co-ordinated
and holistic manner. The British Cattle Veterinary Association
(BCVA), the division of the BVA most keenly affected by this issue,
has provided further details of how such an approach may work
in their own submission to the Committee, which the BVA endorses.
3. Any disease that is spreading, is doing
so for a reason—a change in the agent of disease, a change
in the susceptibility of the species affected (host) or a change
in the management of the host, pathogen, environment or control.
4. Considering the individual problems as
stated in your press release, though worthy in themselves, loses
sight of the background on which the disease picture is being
painted. Consideration needs to be given, amongst other things,
to:
— Is the aim control or eradication?
We would urge eradication.
— Why is the disease spreading?
— What are the common factors?
— How is the disease being managed?
— Are other countries managing it better?
5. The TB99 survey and the survey of wildlife
victims of road traffic accidents can provide additional, valuable
information to this overall disease picture, whilst the rapid
collection, removal and disposal of the reactor animals would
greatly enhance the management of the disease.
6. Consideration of these and other issues
raises the following questions:
(a) passive research (including TB99
and wildlife surveys): why are they not being carried out further
and wider? Is this due to a cash and/or manpower problem?;
(b) management of outbreaks: disposal
times of known reactors are far too long. Is this due to a paperwork
problem and/or disposal problems?
(c) vaccines: these were first talked
about 20 years ago as being 10 years away. Why has further progress
not been made? Is this due to a lack of science base and/or a
lack of research funding?
(d) farm based prevention of spread:
is this due to lack of finance within the livestock industry,
a lack of knowledge and dissemination of information and/or a
lack of research on the basic infectivity of the agent?
7. Due to the short timescale for responses
to the call for evidence, it has not been possible to produce
a comprehensive submission for the Committee's consideration.
However, the BVA would welcome the opportunity to discuss further
with the Committee the key disease issue currently facing the
farm animal part of the veterinary profession. Whilst this letter
may have posed questions, we would wish to offer practical suggestions
as to the way forward.
31 January 2003
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