1. Animal Health Policy developments, achievements and future risks

2. Factors leading to the development of an animal health & welfare strategy The Animal Health & Welfare Strategy for GB 2004 England Implementation Group South East A H& W group Bovine TB Future Threats Conclusions

3. Factors leading to the development of an animal health & welfare strategy Food safety scares - salmonella in eggs / BSE Farm Assurance RUMA Alliance ‘Cost sharing’ Competition Commission investigation into veterinary medicines Foot & Mouth Disease epidemic in 2001

4. The Animal Health & Welfare Strategy for GB 2004 Key Principles Working in Partnership Promoting the benefits of animal health and welfare – prevention is better than cure Ensuring a clear understanding of the costs and benefits of animal health and welfare practices Understanding and accepting roles and responsibilities Delivering and enforcing animal health and welfare standards effectively

5. England Implementation Group Low profile ‘quango’ 2005 – 2009 Encourage/ cajole all stakeholders to implement strategy Created sector groups –cattle, sheep etc. Cost and responsibility sharing models Vet & Vet Services Regional groups

6. South East A H& W group Sub Group of SE sustainable food and farming board - Formed after 2007 FMD outbreak Communication with smallholder animal keepers –EBLEX better returns Bluetongue vaccination campaign Livestock Health SE Laser bTB

7. Bovine TB Notifiable disease Impediment to delivering strategy Continuous rise in cases since 1970s Wildlife reservoir – badgers Lack of new technology – tests & vaccines Political cowardice!

8. Continuing & Future Threats Bovine TB Climate change- incursion of exotic disease e.g Bluetongue, Schmallenberg virus Antibiotic resistance Lack of new medicines Avian influenza Complacency re epidemic diseases Government disengagement

9. Conclusions Animal Health still high on agenda -press, levy boards Vets developing holistic service approach Farm Health planning embedded Animal Health & Welfare board established within DEFRA Genuine culture change?