Frequently asked questions
- Why was the Strategy developed?
- How was the Strategy developed?
- Which animals fall within the scope of the Strategy?
- Why doesn’t the Strategy address animals used in research?
- Why does the Strategy include animal welfare?
- Is human health the priority?
- Will it prevent a further outbreak of animal disease?
- How is the Strategy being implemented in Scotland and Wales?
- How we will know if the Strategy’s a success?
Q. Why was the Strategy developed?
A. The Strategy comes out of a recognition that we needed to do things differently in the light of the BSE and Foot and Mouth crises. Both Sir Don Curry’s Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food and the Foot and Mouth Disease Inquiries recommended that we needed a Strategy for animal health and welfare.
Q. How was the Strategy developed?
A. The Secretary of State accepted these recommendations and the Strategy was developed for Great Britain by Defra, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government, in consultation with animal owners, industry, vets and others. Firstly, informal discussions were held leading to a formal consultation document in January 2003. Sector-based meetings and a series of regional workshops were then held, leading to the issue for consultation of an Outline of an Animal Health and Welfare Strategy in July 2003. Following this consultation the Strategy was launched by Defra on 24 June 2004 in London by Ben Bradshaw, Minister for Animal Health and Welfare, and Debby Reynolds, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO).
Q. Which animals fall within the scope of the Strategy?
A. The Strategy is interested in the health and welfare of all animals, which are, for one reason or another, under people’s control. It also embraces, to some degree, farmed fish and shellfish and the interaction between farmed animals and wildlife in terms of both cross-infection and the spread of disease. Zoos, circuses, companion animals, pets and game also fall within the scope of the Strategy.
Q. Why doesn’t the Strategy address animals used in research?
A. The Strategy doesn't apply to the use of animals in experiments and other scientific procedures as this is strictly regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Act applies to the whole of the United Kingdom and is administered by the Home Office in England, Scotland and Wales and by the Department of Health, Social Security and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.
Q. Why does the Strategy include animal welfare?
A. We believe that animal health and welfare are intrinsically linked. Owners' responsibilities go beyond keeping their animals disease free. The treatment of animals and neglect can lead to the development of animal conditions and disease. Welfare issues are important to consumers and whilst certain conditions can be low priority in terms of a threat to human health they can cause a high level of suffering.
Q. Is human health the priority?
A. Human health is obviously a major concern and conditions that affect man as well as animals will take a certain priority. However, there are many other conditions that may not have a direct effect on man but can cause considerable suffering to animals, as well as have a significant cost to the industry and the taxpayer. The cost and benefits of conditions and the measures taken to prevent, limit and eradicate them will need to be balanced. There is concern that most new or emerging diseases of livestock have an impact on human health.
Q. Will it prevent a further outbreak of animal disease?
A. It would be foolish to claim that any strategy will in itself prevent future outbreaks of animal disease. We operate in a global market and animal diseases can be carried, transported and imported from anywhere across the globe. The Strategy will seek to engage stakeholders and heighten awareness of animal owners, veterinary professionals, Government and the public.
Q. How is the Strategy being implemented in Scotland and Wales?
A. The Scottish and Welsh Administrations also have their equivalents to the England Implementation Group. In Wales, a stakeholder group chaired by Huw Davies, a beef and sheep farmer, is advising on priorities and has drawn up an Action Plan. In Scotland, an Advisory Group, chaired by the Scottish CVO Charles Milne, is identifying priorities to be taken forward in the Scottish Animal Health and Welfare Programme. You can find out more about the Devolved Administrations’ work on their websites:
Q. How we will know if the Strategy’s a success?
A. We are developing a framework of indicators to track the overall progress of work to improve animal health and welfare in Great Britain. The indicators will track a number of measures that try to capture the different dimensions of animal health and welfare in England, Scotland and Wales. The framework will include ‘headline’ indicators, which will focus on the longer term objectives of the Strategy, and ‘core’ indicators, which will look at detailed progress in the shorter term. The headline indicators should be ready this Summer, with the core indicators to follow by the end of the year. Once fully developed, they will provide us an objective means of tracking our progress towards successfully delivering the Strategy.
Page last modified:
May 23, 2008
Page published: 5 February, 2003