9. 8. Statement: Exotic Animal Disease Threats, Bluetongue and Contingency Planning

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:28 pm on 5 July 2016.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 4:28, 5 July 2016

Diolch, Simon Thomas, for those questions. In relation to vaccination, I mentioned there is a vaccine available and it is the only effective tool to protect susceptible animals from bluetongue. The best time to vaccinate is early in the year, before the warm weather comes, which I know we’re still, perhaps, waiting for. That will then provide protection. So, I think that sort of work was done earlier in the year, but, obviously, as we go through the summer, that vaccination is still applicable if farmers would want to do that.

I mentioned that vaccinations would be made available by manufacturers, and, actually, two vaccine manufacturers have stated that they will be intending to make their vaccinations available from this month, so that’s a discussion that the chief veterinary officer and her advisers are having.

In relation to capacity, I think now that we have so many more vets going out to farms to test for TB, for instance, I think once those vets go onto the farm, they’re doing extra work, if you like, because they’re engaging with farmers and talking about biosecurity and what farmers can do to protect against diseases. So, I’m very happy with the capacity that we have at the current time. I think you raise a really important point about veterinary surgeons that we have from the EU, and, as you say, we very much appreciate their work and they are certainly very welcome in Wales.

I was very pleased to make the announcement regarding the MOU at Aberystwyth University, and the facilities that are being put in place there—not a complete veterinary school, but I think an important first step that we can build on.