New proposed veterinary reserve proposed

A new corps of private sector vets, able to join forces with the Government at short notice to fight outbreaks of animal disease, is proposed today by Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw.

Members of the group will be contracted to do five days paid training each year. In return, they will need to commit themselves to be available in an emergency. Initially, Defra will be looking to recruit around 100 vets to join this veterinary reserve.

The move would meet recommendations of the FMD Inquiries for quick and organised veterinary response to any future disease outbreak.

In their training, the vets would be told their likely role in any outbreak, take part in exercises and learn the management and organisational structures which would apply in times of emergency.

Mr Bradshaw said:

"The veterinary profession responded magnificently to the challenges of the 2001 FMD outbreak. But the episode demonstrated that existing arrangements are not the most efficient way of using veterinary manpower in a crisis.

"It is crucial that the State Veterinary Service is able to respond flexibly to any new disease outbreak; it needs to be able to gear up its numbers very quickly.

"The greatest need in an emergency would be for veterinary managers, who are familiar with the contingency plans and would understand the role expected of them."

The proposals are being put out to consultation along with a wider review of the system of Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVI's), private vets who carry out duties for the SVS on a piecework basis. Interested parties such as the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons have been closely involved in the discussions.

These have covered issues such as quality assurance, training, communications and contractual arrangements.