From the Veterinary Record, October 18 2003.

2 messages

Originally from: Farmtalking

A letter written to and published by the Veterinary Record from Alex Donaldson

SIR, – During the UK 2001 foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, colleagues and I at Pirbright voiced our concern about the 48-hour contiguous cull policy and proposed that the benefits claimed for the strategy would have to be weighed against the burden of disposing of hundreds of thousands of carcases, the likelihood that many of the contiguous premises were not infected and the consequences of diverting scarce veterinary resources and support staff from other disease control activities (VR, May 12, 2001, pp 602–604). Concern about the efficacy of the contiguous cull was also expressed by many others during and after the epidemic and questioned in a series of letters to this journal (VR, April 12, 2003, p 479; July 12, p 63; September 6, pp 307–308; September 27, p 407). Several correspondents called for an independent investigation.

The letter from Bob Michell ( VR, April 12, p 479) records that earlier this year the RCVS Council agreed to draw to the attention of the House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the need to seek expert appraisal of the claim that the mathematically justified contiguous cull was the factor that brought the 2001 epidemic under control. Our profession should encourage the RCVS Council to continue to press the select committee to oversee the task of investigating that claim and the merits – or otherwise – of the contiguous cull policy.

A.I. Donaldson, 290 London Road, Burpham, Guildford, Surrey GU4 7LB

Originally from: Pat Gardiner

If anyone is intending to give evidence to the Select Committee critical of the State Veterinary Service, they should take great care to ensure their own safety.

They may well face intimidation and threats from senior Defra officials and specially recruited "heavies" from associated stakeholders. Neither the Committee or the Speaker can be relied upon to offer protection – and unbelievably the police will not become involved. They just ignore all correspondence...but of course, I'm in Norfolk, its like the Wild West here.

If anyone does need help, I will be glad to offer advice from bitter personal experience. I was naive, don't make the same mistake.

You must give evidence, democracy will fail if people are not prepared to stand up and be counted, but just take the extra time to cover your back.

I'm not pesimistic, we will win, but we will win faster if decent people can give evidence free of the fear of being forced out of their homes, by criminals in State employ.

Regards
Pat Gardiner