Vet shortage to hit health plans?

A WELSH FARM leader has warned that a shortage of large animal vets could scupper implementation of the government‘s Animal Health and Welfare Strategy in Wales.

Peredur Hughes, National Farmers Union Cymru president, has told the Welsh assembly that the plan could fail because the cover provided by vets dealing with farm livestock, was woefully inadequate.

The consequence, he claimed, could be to leave farmers unable to assure the health and welfare of their animals, and lead to the undermining of public health protection.

“We believe there would be merit in examining the feasibility of establishing a Welsh Veterinary College with close links to large animal practices. 

“That may encourage more students from rural Wales to return home to practice,” suggested Mr Hughes.

The cost implications of the new strategy were also causing concern and his members still had to be persuaded that the initiative would prove cost effective at farm level.

The union agreed that the Welsh industry needed a comprehensive and consistent disease reporting system, and urged the development of an efficient means of disseminating animal health information.

The call for the creation of a Welsh veterinary school is also a key component of the Farmers Union of Wales‘s animal health strategy.