BVA calls for better livestock disease surveillance network

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has emphasised the need for a more robust surveillance system to protect the health of the UK's livestock.

Responding to the recent strengthening of national precautions against avian influenza and reports of Schmallenberg virus cases spreading across the country, the BVA has highlighted the strong case for improvements to current disease control mechanisms.

The BVA's latest Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey shows that one-third of vets affected by changes to postmortem facilities since 2014 believe their access to facilities had deteriorated, while three-quarters of vets had seen carcass submission rates decline following laboratory closures.

Disease control has also been identified by BVA members as one of their top three highest priorities in relation to Brexit, due to concerns that existing disease control and eradication programmes and surveillance systems may not be continued.

Gudrun Ravetz, president of the BVA, said: "As a country we need to be alert to the threat posed to our livestock, food chain and agricultural business by disease incursions."

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