Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: RE: Asian pigs which don''''''''t fly

Originally from: Farmtalking

I'm interested to read what you say Pat.

Some years ago, you may remember there were strict Quarantine laws which affected dogs and cats in the main, in order to prevent the import of rabies.

For various reasons, I was in favour of vaccination as an alternative protection from this diseasee and the introduction of pet passports, which were eventually introduced.

Prior to their introduction, I had discovered that many diffeent animals were imported without being subject to the existing quarantine restrictions.

These included breeding stock – farm animals and horses – zoo and performing animals – including circus dogs, cats (the large varieties!) bears and horses, etc. – as well as race horses for racng or breeding purposes. Others exempt of course were dogs serving with the military.

At the time, it seemsed the rules allowed for any animal to be imported and skip the quarantine regulations providing they were not simply pet/companion animals and the importer knew the loopholes.

It made a mockery of our general quarantine regulations and at last they were abandonded and pet passports replaced them. AFAIK, Quarantine still exists but seems is only used in exceptional circumstances now.

Author wrote:
Hi Frances
Yes, you have got the main points. It works something like this.
No pig would be allowed in here without a mass of documents from China, this would include Health Declarations from a Chinese vet, Certificates from the Exporter, Certificates of Origin.
HMC&E would police most of the documentation based on regulations set by Maff-Defra.
Into (computer) the pot would go something very important -intelligence.
The reliability of importer/exporter and agent, the reliability of Chinese vets, perhaps down to a particular vet, the risks of importing pigs from that particular country, province etc etc.
How it works is all a closely guarded state secret, but we know a little – and they are good, really good.... if HMC&E have been given good intelligence by Maff-Defra
It is like a credit rating system, enough points and you pass. Signs of problems and the system stops the pig dead at the airport/seaport.
The SVS will have been told the pig is coming/has arrived and they will phsically check it over as a further control. They have to make sure.
Maybe the SVS will want a chat with the importer to ask for special quarantine, whatever. When they are satisfied too, the pig will be allowed through by Customs.
So if Swine Fever did arrive here in a boar from China and cause an epidemic, the State Veterinary Service are to blame. They would be the source of most of the intelligence and the people letting the beast through. They sign the "Out of Charge Note."
The same thing is true in reverse
A reliable source (me and you) blowing the whistle should result in the British reliability rating being lowered abroad, if importing countries intelligence systems are working properly. This could result in a total ban on British exports.
The fact that our State vets fake documents and blood tests as routine is a risk to other countries, especially when we are having epidemic after epidemic here. The fact that the RCVS disciplinary committee protects them is suicidal for the British livestock trade.
Hence me screaming at the US. If they have their wits about them every alarm bell should be ringing in Washington.
I won't stand-by and see our crooks infect the Prairies.
They have done quite enough damage here.
Regards
Pat Gardiner
www.go-self-sufficient.com
Author wrote:
Dear Pat, I read your E-mail about the source of the 2000 CSF outbreak being an imported Asian pig wth incredulity. Am I correct in saying that this animal should have been inspected by the SVS ? That it should have been certified, subsequently, as disease-free ? That it, most probably, should have been quarantined for a period to make sure that it was not bringing disease into the UK ? Am I correct, also, in saying that if a certificate was issued, that it would have been signed by a member of the State Vet.Service ?
Just what was it we were all saying about the signing of certificates by vets. and how important it should be to protect the integrity of a vets'signature? (the RCVS themselves are wont to give forth on this subject, and it is difficult to know if they really believe what they say or they are lying through their teeth or that they are totally ignorant about what is going on in the real world ). They strike off a vet for signing a "false" certificate, if my memory serves me correctly, for exporting horses, but this, surely, is potentially a great deal more serious. Which country will accept certificates signed by our vets. if they discover what has gone on ?
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear !!!!!
Tally ho, Frances