14 March, 2012
Plans to cut back on animal testing could leave
British farms vulnerable to more outbreaks like the Schmallenberg
Virus, it is feared.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) has
warned farming minister Jim Paice that closing Animal Health and
Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) sites will make it harder to
diagnose harmful animal diseases.
In a statement released to parliament.uk, EFRA chair Anne
McIntosh explained why the group were so worried about the possible
closure of AHVLA sites.
She said: "We received worrying expert evidence that the
transport of animal samples to distant laboratories, following the
closure of AHVLA sites, will lead to a deterioration in samples
with an associated risk of failing to diagnose animal disease. In
addition, there is a risk that the Agency will lose key specialist
skills."
The closures could be detrimental to farmers in the South West
and all over the UK, especially if their livestock becomes infected
with an unidentified disease. EFRA reportedly believe that not
enough research has been completed into the impact of closing
animal laboratories.
The Yorkshire Post report that many animal health experts concur
with the views of EFRA. The British Veterinary Association is
amongst the firms calling for the Government to reconsider the
closure of AHVLA sites.
Source: Vertical Leap
