Memorandum Submitted by Mr HJ Steven (W22)
It is timely, if not desperately late, that
an enquiry is to be conducted into providing farm veterinary services,
into government plans for surveillance, animal health and welfare;
plans arrived at after endless reviews and discussions. Implementation
requires people and people require a policy. Its absence is so
obvious. At Oxford, in January, the Minister made a plea to farmers
to support the Government; without mentioning a policy to support.
In 1974, after the UK had joined the EEC, James
Prior, the Minister of Agriculture, visited France and confronted
by Jacques Chirac was told that France had a rural population
and intended to keep them there! Despite universal movements of
population subsequently, the policy has withstood all pressures
and preserved a rural culture and environment. Would that Margaret
Beckett, accepting that food was her core remit, recognising that
her other diversifications are long-term, both internal and external,
announce that her aim is to provide consumers with UK food from
healthy livestock, welfare monitored, free from growth promoters
and pharmaceutical products. Such a statement would provide assurance
for the consumer and the trust of the producer. In addition, it
would indicate an intention of health and safety to those who
would import animal products from mass-produced sources and without
strict hygiene and welfare practices. The consumer, as a stakeholder,
would be expected to pay a little more. But food is cheap. An
index of which is the increasing number of customers who delegate
their order to company's assistants. There is no fear that the
figure on the invoice will not be too high!
What has this to do with the service the veterinary
surgeon can provide? His service depends upon the viability of
the livestock farmer. The first step having been achieved, he
can improve the viability. There are veterinary surgeons who are
already engaged on contract with farmers, providing regular visits
throughout the year fulfilling the functions that the Government
require. The BCVA have been active in propagating the concept.
Apart from common belief, there are enterprising farmers determined
to farm despite the legislative burden taking up the schemes.
In addition to the remit mentioned, is that
of Biosecurity. It is not sufficiently appreciated that it is
not only commodities arriving as food that are a danger; the live
animals arriving from markets and sales and private purchases
should not be trusted. Provision for complete isolation is important
even from imports from North America.
Defra almost answered the question as to whether
private veterinary surgeons could get on to every livestock holding
by their figures published in the Veterinary Record of 8 February
2003. The average farmer's income in 2002 was £11,136! That
was the average. There will be some holdings with livestock living
below that standard. It would seem that the Government has to
do some lateral thinking to improve the market for farm commodities
in order to fulfil the standards it has specified. The infrastructure
of the milk industry has been destroyed by the less than encouraging
Government support for Producer Co-operatives by which other EU
countries market, while that of sheep and beef has fallen foul
of social pressures and disease considerations.
As far as direct support is concerned, there
is little encouragement. Of £325 million for 2003-04, £155
million goes, quite rightly, to R&D, while 22% goes to sustainable
farming and food (Veterinary Record, 5 April 2003). There is no
quarrel with the allocation to research but, as Lord Selbourne,
who has consistently propagated research in Veterinary Medicine
and Agriculture, said at a recent meeting: "It is practice
that provides the spark that stimulates research".
Finally, there are the unconverted and the unable
with which to deal on farms, possibly remote. The local veterinary
inspector can possibly contribute, although some are fully committed
on TB testing regionally. The full-time veterinary inspector may
be available, remembering that he is not the product of a previous
generation well groomed by his divisional officer in PR and may
have the disadvantage of being regarded as a policeman. BSE continues
to claim financial resources and the burden of the TB outbreak
is an added demand.
Funds additional to those existing appear to
be required. One must hope that Margaret will come off her lonely
but important perch and view what has already been achieved by
private effort, enabling her to convince the Chancellor that help
is required to fulfil her plans so painstakingly prepared.
12 May 2003
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