EU Commissioner announces plans for new animal health law

According to Commissioner Dalli this new animal health legislation, "should move from a position of financing losses of disease outbreaks to one of financing prevention”.

This statement was made while addressing the special All Island Animal Health and Welfare Conference in Ballyconnell, where the Commissioner was the guest of the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Brendan Smith T.D and the Northern Irish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA.

Mr Dalli added that this future EU legislation “requires a culture change to consider outlays for prevention programmes as an investment to save much heavier expenditure to combat disease outbreaks.  We should also consider how the financing of such programmes is to be shared fairly between the principal players (farmers, Member States and the EU institutions).

Other fundamental issues of concern would be covered such as clarification of responsibilities of the main actors such as animal keepers and business operators; better disease prevention and on-farm biosecurity; and flexibility to adapt to new or changing circumstances.

[Source: ClareHerald.com]

VetsTalk: Veterinarians can learn from cow signals

But what about your own disease: Veterinarianitis? How blind are you? If we look at our duty, how well do we support farmers in keeping their cows healthy? How busy are you with preventing disease? Or is your main business treating sick animals? I think everybody is trying to do things right, but are you also doing the right things.

I want to teach the farmers to observe more. Point out "waiting cows", empty rumens (danger triangles) and curved backs. A waiting cow, standing in a cubicle tells you something: my bed is too hard or too short, I am lame, or there is not enough fresh, dry air in this building. Point out all the wounds on the cows. Talk and think about solutions together.

Read the full story from Joep in the VetsTalk: Experiences from the field section.

Also read the story of Kristian, a pig veterinarian from Denmark 

Also read the story of Marrit, a pig veterinarian from the Netherlands  

Also read the story of Dieter, a poultry veterinarian consultant from Belgium

Bird flu recurs in Vietnam

The avian influenza virus was detected in a flock of 630 ducks belonging to a farmer in southern province of Soc Trang’s Thanh Thoi Thuan Commune after 500 of them died during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The remaining ducklings in the flock were reportedly killed. None of the 45-day-old ducks had been vaccinated. In the northern province of Nam Dinh’s Nghi An Commune, bird flu hit a 7-month-old flock. Provincial animal heath officials killed all 270 ducks in an effort to contain the disease.

[Source: Thanh Nien]

British Veterinary Association will help vets in crisis

The high prevalence of depression and suicide in the veterinary profession are well documented. The suicide rate within the veterinary profession is around four times higher than in the general population and around twice that of other high risk groups including farmers and medical practitioners. Research has shown that long hours, the risk of professional mistakes and rising client expectation and administrative work lead to high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The Vet Helpline sticker acts as a constant reminder to veterinary professionals that a confidential helpline, manned by trained volunteers from the veterinary profession, is available around the clock on every day of the year to offer support and direct them to specialist help where appropriate. In addition to the Vet Helpline phone number the sticker also gives the number for the Samaritans and includes the address of the Vetlife website which is a "one stop shop" for all the help available.

Expressing his concern for the mental well-being of the profession, BVA President, Professor Bill Reilly, said: "Please remember that if you're feeling depressed, lonely or under pressure, or are perhaps worried about a colleague, you can talk it over in confidence with trained volunteers from the veterinary profession. The Vet Helpline is there for all veterinary surgeons, nurses and students.

Vet Helpline 07659 811118 is a 24-hour rapid-response answer phone, every day of the year, for veterinary surgeons, nurses and students. For further information, see http://www.vetlife.org.uk 

[Source: British Veterinary Association]