Suspected foot-and-mouth case sparks staffing fears for state vets

A SUSPECTED foot-and-mouth case has added to concerns among veterinary surgeons about diminishing numbers in the Irish State veterinary service.

Veterinary Ireland, the professional representative body for the industry, has highlighted the fact that around 50 vets who have retired from the state veterinary service have not been replaced.

The state service had around 350 veterinary surgeons at the time of the last foot and mouth in 2001.

That number is now down to below 300.

Veterinary Ireland chief executive Finbarr Murphy said: “In 2001, we had a quick response to the outbreak here from veterinary surgeons. In Britain, they didn’t have adequate numbers of vets on the ground, and we saw the results.

“A lot of people have retired from the state veterinary service and have not been replaced. We want a contingency plan that brings state vets and those in private practice together.

“We are prepared for any Class A disease outbreak. That said, we know that in Britain, they have carried out simulation exercises as part of their planning to deal with any outbreak.

” We need a similar approach to contingency planning here.”

Britain’s agriculture department carried out a simulation exercise on November 9 and 10.

The so-called “Silver Birch” exercise simulated an on-the-ground response to a nationwide outbreak of the disease.

This involved a stress-test of existing plans, policies and resources.

Spread across an array of British governmental departments and private veterinary practices, the exercise also involved the setting up of a national disease control centre.

An Irish Government spokesperson said the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has received reports of two suspect foot and mouth cases this year, leading to the investigation of three separate farms.

All procedures were performed in the normal way and the samples were found to be negative for foot and mouth.

The department added that it continues to provide contingency services.

Members of Veterinary Ireland will discuss these issues at their AGM tomorrow in the Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny.

Other items on the agenda for tomorrow’s AGM include a discussion of the need to maintain adequate staff in district veterinary offices and meat plants to ensure the day-to-day work, as well as emergency response in class A disease outbreak, can be adequately and effectively addressed.

The organisation’s members will also discuss legislation relating to the greyhound industry, the need for an Animal Health and Welfare Bill, and responses to horse welfare and salmonella prevention strategies.