The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has released its manifesto ahead of the General Election on 8 June, saying animal medicine underpins much of what is valued in society.
With Brexit in the spotlight, the manifesto highlights what is needed for the UK to secure a future as a 'global centre of excellence' for animal medicines and why the UK animal medicines industry is important to the economy.
Politicians and political parties are being called to make sure the 'important role' of animal medicines is recognised and that the sector’s needs are included in Brexit negotiations.
They are being urged to support incentives to develop 'innovative treatments' and better diagnostics, and to ensure prescribers, farmers and pet owners retain access to a full range of animal medicines.
The manifesto states that parties must ensure decisions about the animal health sector are based on evidence and science.
'Responsible use of medicines'
Dawn Howard, chief executive of NOAH, said the responsible use of medicines 'underpins' so much that is valued in British society.
“The production of food from healthy animals on UK farms; our relationship with the pets that share 44% of British homes – in everything we and our members do at NOAH, we aim to improve the lives of animals through encouraging responsible farming and pet ownership and promoting the safe and responsible use of medicines.
“As we leave the EU, it is so important that Government ensures that what our sector needs to continue to provide the tools to allow our sector to thrive in the UK is included in Brexit negotiations.
“All of our animals – whether pets or farm animals – have a right to the most appropriate treatment if they become sick, to reduce their suffering, to protect their health and welfare and to ensure they can continue to provide companionship or produce safe, nutritious food.”
Other farming manifestos
In the Conservative manifesto, they pledge to bring 'sustainable growth' to farming communities, create a new agri-environment scheme and introduce mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses.
Labour has also launched their manifesto. The manifesto pledges an end to the badger cull, a ban on neonicotinoids and the promotion of ‘cruelty free farming’.
The Liberal Democrats has unveiled their manifesto, saying that UK farming will be in 'huge danger' of leaving EU. They propose a second referendum.
Welsh political party Plaid Cymru has also released their manifesto, calling for a Brexit deal which best represents Welsh agriculture.
Ukip's manifesto has called for the UK to create a Single Farm Payment (SFP) as a replacement for the CAP.
The SNP are pledging to 'protect' the Scottish agri-food industry by fighting to stay as a member of the EU's single market.
Numerous rural organisations have released their own manifestos, including the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, the CLA, the Soil Association, the Tenant Farmers' Association, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the British Veterinary Association, the Farmers' Union of Wales, the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Agricultural Industries Confederation and the Countryside Alliance.
