Defra to consult on EFRA committee report - Vets and Veterinary Services
UK - Defra today launched a consultation on the findings of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee report on Vets and Veterinary Services, that was published last October.
16 January 2004
3 minute read
The EFRA committee last week granted Defra permission to delay its response in order for the Department to set up an industry working group to look into the report's findings.
Defra has today written to all its Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (AHWS) stakeholders, asking for comments on the report's findings. The letter contains the report's summary, conclusion and recommendations.
Defra will set up a working group with the veterinary profession to consider the report of the Parliamentary EFRA Committee and to look at the future roles and availability of large animal practices. This working group will also cover a wider remit, including the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy.
Animal Health and Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "We recognise that there are concerns about the future number of large animal veterinary practices and we welcome the select committee's decision to allow us to consult with the industry on this important issue.
"I would urge industry to respond to the consultation over the next three months to help with our response to the EFRA committee. We must maintain a healthy, professional, efficient and viable large animal veterinary sector to serve the livestock industry," he said.
The Defra response to the EFRA committee report will be submitted later this year. It will feed into the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain, which is to be published later this Spring.
Further Information
The deadline for responses to Defra's consultation on the findings of the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Report - Vets and Veterinary Services - is April 9, 2004. Comments should be sent to Veryan Nicholls, Animal Health and Welfare Strategy Unit, 1a Page Street, London SW1 4PQ. Comments can also be either faxed (020 7904 6128) or e-mailed to [email protected]
Further copies of the paper can be obtained from The Stationary Office or from the Parliamentary Bookshop, 12 Bridge Street, Parliament Square, London, SW1A 2JX
The letter sent to stakeholders containing the report's summary, conclusions and recommendations can be accessed from the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/ahws/strategy.htm
Source: Defra - 16th January 2004
