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In this article the author discusses the paper that proposes how to update the regulation of the veterinary profession made by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Veterinary Legislation Group. He is critical of the paper as just a way to cover the mess identified by the Great Britain's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee by discussing developments in human professions' regulation. The role of the government on the concerns of veterinary profession is also investigated.

Reports that Great Britain Dept. of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has submitted a paper to the European Commission detailing why Great Britain should no longer be considered a high-risk country for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Categories for considering a country's risk of BSE; Statistical evidence of the decline of BSE epidemic in Great Britain; Active BSE surveillance program of Great Britain.

The article focuses on the concerns of British Royal Council of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Advisory Committee (AC) members on the increasing lay tuberculosis (TB) testing and the use of Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) lay testers. RCVS Advisory Committee chairman Bob Moore says that TB testing is an act of diagnosis while Roger Eddy said that the Defra misled them about the pilot lay TB testing exercises. It also notes Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens who believes that the RCVS should discuss the issue with Defra.

In this article, the author discusses the changes in the government's policy on food security in Great Britain. He mentions the report published by the Cabinet Office, which discusses the need to safeguard future food supplies and the discussion paper from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on ensuring food security. He contends that the documentation describes the government actions for food production and security.

The article focuses on the research "Food security and the UK: an evidence and analysis paper," which was produced by British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs economists at the end of 2006 in the context of the government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy. The document cited that a decline in the self-sufficiency ratio of domestic production to consumption in Great Britain could lead to a reduction in agricultural production in Great Britain and Europe.

The article reports that Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has cancelled its plans to replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act. DEFRA announced the British government's decision regarding the law at a meeting of the House of Commons Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health Lord Rooker explains the reason behind the cancellation of the plan to replace the law.

In the article, the author discusses the move by the British government to reconstitute the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) into an expert committee called the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) as of April 2011. He claims that the committee will be responsible in providing impartial and independent advice to the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales about farm animals. He cites the 2010 paper issued by the British Animal Welfare Advisory Bodies' Liaison Group.

The article focuses on the reorganization of the British Food Standards Agency (FSA). It notes that the FSA has been given a renewed focus on food safety policy and enforcement. It adds that about 70 policy posts in the FSA will be transferred to the Department of Health while another 25 policy posts will be moved to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It stresses the importance of the maintenance of the food safety functions and independence of the FSA.

In this article the author discusses the proposals of the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Great Britain concerning the consultation on responsibility and cost sharing on animal health. The author considers the proposals as a significant issue, but should not overshadow the proposals for an independent body to monitor animal health. The author states that the responsibilities of the new body as well as its relationships with other bodies should be clearly defined.

In this article the author focuses on the stance of the government on food security in Great Britain. The challenges of addressing the food security matter which include climate change, environmental degradation and water scarcity are discussed. The author also presented the views of Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), on the politics of food.

The article focuses on the meetings organized by the British Veterinary Association (BVA) to help formulate a veterinary strategy for the best use of investment by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Great Britain, to increase uptake of farm health plans in England. David Catlow, president of BVA, said the meetings had been well attended and successful.

The article reports on the consideration of a new Veterinary Surgeons Act by the British Veterinary Association. The proposals of the Act were submitted by Royal College of Veterinary Science (RCVS), Great Britain, to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Great Britain. Lynne Hill, president of RCVS, said the new Act was necessary for the protection of employed veterinarians, animals and clients.

Reports on the British Veterinary Association's series of meetings with the British Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to discuss versions of a contract for local veterinary inspectors. Increase in fees sought by BVA; Comments by BVA members on the relationship between the department and inspectors.

The article presents a research project to investigate the spread of bluetongue virus (BTV) commissioned by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs in Great Britain. The study aims to monitor developments of bluetongue in response to environmental change due to global warming and to develop an operational early warning scheme. Their major concern is the wind-borne movements of vector Culicoides species that make BTV and other Culicoides-borne viruses difficult to control.

Reports on Great Britain Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs' consultation document concerning the proposed modernization of the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act. Composition of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; Disciplinary procedures for veterinary surgeons; Deregulation.

Information on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) meeting that was held at Belgravia House in London, England on March 1, 2012 is presented. Topics include the Great Britain Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) proposal for a Legislative Reform Order (LRO), Veterinary Surgeons Act, the structure of the RCVS Disciplinary Committee. Moreover, the meeting featured chairman Peter Lees, vice-chairman Beverley Cottrell, and Bertie Ellis.

The article focuses on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) response to the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's report of its inquiry into the need for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act in Great Britain. It relates that DEFRA is willing to consider any proposal from veterinary profession and to explore legislative options for updating the disciplinary process. DEFRA stresses that the detailed work would have to come from the profession itself.

The article reports on the confirmation of a third case of bluetongue in Great Britain by the Dept. of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on September 25, 2007 near Lowestoft in Suffolk. In response, new control zones were being established aside from those already imposed because of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey. No movements of live animals were allowed in the protection and surveillance zones.

The article comments on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that was confirmed in pigs which provided that first indication of the epidemic in Great Britain. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been the guiding agency on animal health caused by an early political casualty of the outbreak. The department has taken steps to reduce the risk of virus entering the country through illegal meat imports to prevent livestock coming into contact with the virus and to slow the potential initial spread of infection by improved farm biosecurity and restrictions on the movement of animals.

Reports on the Royal Society's assessment of the progress made following its inquiry into 2001 outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain. Response of the British Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to the Society's recommendations; Contingency plans in the event of an outbreak.

Reports that the British government has denied that it has been complacent in its approach to implementing the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy (AHWS). Response of Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs undersecretary Lord Whitty to a written parliamentary question from Lord Morris of Manchester; Partnership between the government and the British Veterinary Association in developing the AHWS.

Comments on the Great Britain government's response to the report from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on the availability of veterinarians and veterinary services. Changes in the farming industry; Government's comment that payment to the services of veterinarians by clients is a private matter and it has no reason to intervene; Government's lack of interest on the viability of the veterinary practice; Role of veterinarians in animal health and welfare.

Reports that Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has declared a one-year extension to the rules which will restrict the sale and on-farm use of rams which carry neither the most resistant nor the most susceptible scrapie alleles, designated under the National Scrapie Plan as type 3 genotype rams. Details of existing rules on the sale and on-farm use of such rams; Implementation of European Union rules setting minimum requirements for the introduction of genotype-based breeding programs in April 2005.

Reports that an update on research into the effects on human health of exposure to organophosphates (OP) in sheep dips was provided at a technical briefing given by Great Britain's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on January 28, 2004. Description of the role of the various organizations in monitoring and researching the safety, quality and efficacy of OP; Adverse reactions of humans to OP.

Comments the British government's animal health and welfare strategy developed by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Investigation of the Competition Commission on the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines and the effort of DEFRA to develop the strategy; Public consultation launched by DEFRA on the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

Focuses on the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' proposals for changing the local veterinary inspector (LVI) system. Health welfare strategy; Contracts and payment; Emergency veterinary reserve.

Reports that Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has decreed that breeding rams of recognized rare breeds will no longer have to be slaughtered if they are found to bear the most scrapie-susceptible genotype, under the National Scrapie Plan (NSP). Results of an NSP survey of genotypes within rare breeds; Plan to establish an archive of semen from scrapie-susceptible rams.

Reports on the animal health and welfare strategy released by the British Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in July 2003. Standards of farm animal health and welfare; Initiatives on animal health and welfare; Role of the veterinary profession in policy-making and implementation. INSET: New initiatives outlined by DEFRA..

Focuses on the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' handling of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic in Great Britain. Contingency plans directed to the agriculture industry; Impact of the FMD epidemic on the tourism industry.

The author discusses how to control bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Great Britain. Topics include the consultation document issued by the Great Britain Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) on June 11, 2014 to strengthen the movement controls in cattle, the international conference hosted by the British Cattle Veterinary Association on Mycobacterium bovis held in Cardiff, Wales from June 16-19, and the role of local veterinarians in helping farmers to control the disease.

The article reports that the Badger Trust notified Great Britain's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of Defra's culling decision, which is part of measures to tackle bovine tubercolusis (TB). David Williams, the trust's chairman, says that they are concerned the proposed culls will spread the disease. It mentions the trust's consideration such as the proposed culls will not meet the legal test of disease prevention and the invalidity of the guidance.

The article reports on the development of an injectable BCG vaccine for use in badgers in Great Britain. It cites that the work, which is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, is part of the Badger Vaccine Deployment Project. The project is aimed at investigating and resolving practical issues that would arise in the development of a vaccine for use in badgers. Moreover, the vaccine is set to be deployed in six areas in England with high incidence of cattle disease.

In this article the author discusses the impact of the Wildlife Health Strategy document published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Great Britain. The author cites that the strategy document presents the factors involve in wildlife health such as wide range of organisations and complex network of roles. The author also points out that the document reflects the conflicting nature and complexity of wildlife issues.

In this article the author discusses the implications of the plans of the Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Great Britain to produce a new Evidence Investment Strategy in late 2009. The author relates that although Defra's plans have significant bases, its consequences for research on animal diseases are disturbing. The author cites several studies demonstrating the importance of animal research as well as the deteriorating condition of the animal research facilities.

The article outlines several activities of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Officer team ending in May 2, 2009. It cites the attendance of BVA president N. J. Paull and president-elect W. J. Reilly on the national event to discuss consultation on responsibility and cost sharing of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Meanwhile, it mentions the attendance of the officers in the BVA Welsh dinner in Cardiff and the guesting of Paull at Royal Veterinary College Dinner.

The author reflects on the launch of consultation on responsibility and cause sharing by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Great Britain. The author argues that the consultation acclaims a significant change in the arrangements for safeguarding animal health in the country. However, it found a lack of clarity over roles and responsibilities during a major disease outbreak and the proposals, as the organizations appear to put at risk for a rapid response.

The article presents the author's view on the changes to the Pet Travel Scheme as it will expire in July 2010. He cites the relative risks, such as diseases, bring by the pet travel. He mentions the risk assessments implemented by both British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and European Food Safety Authority for pet travel.

In this article the author presents views regarding the issues mentioned in the 2009 report of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is said that the document gives data on animal health spending incurred by the agency including preventive works on exotic disease outbreaks. Cost and responsibility sharing between Defra and Animal Health is also questioned since Defra admitted to insufficient financial basis to calculate the cost of its disease intervention programmes.

The article focuses on a consultation document issued by the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the future of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). The consultation on the VMD is the result of an initiative aimed at reducing red tape. It is related to a review undertaken by Sir Philip Hampton in 2004 to reduce the administrative burden on business, as part of the Government's regulation initiatve.

The article reports on the highlights of Great Britain's House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's hearing on the need for a Veterinary Surgeons Act. It comments on the negative response of Lord Rooker, the minister responsible for food, farming and animal health and welfare, to the question on whether DEFRA is still interested in updating the law. Meanwhile, DEFRA still planned some amendments to Schedule 3 of the law.

The article contends that as the government of Great Britain attempts to cut red tape and bureaucracy, the more bureaucracy it appears to create. The author notes that government departments and agencies are required to publish annual rolling Simplification Plans. The author adds that one can sympathize with the government's goal of cutting red tape, particularly at a time when the Dept. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is reorganizing itself and reducing its staff.

The article comments on British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Secretary of State Hilary Benn's speeches about the challenges facing agriculture in Great Britain. In his speech at the Oxford Farming Conference held in January 2008 and his speech in November 2007, Benn says that the world is changing rapidly and farmers should adapt. In his January speech, Benn emphasized the role of farming on food production.

The article reflects on the consultation document published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on July 2007 for the development of wildlife health strategies in Great Britain. It claims that the wildlife health strategies contained in the document are still underdeveloped, thus it would still take more time before they can be finalized. It likewise adds that the document specifies the evident roles of veterinarians for farmers on biosecurity.

The article presents the author's comments on the efforts of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in investigating other means of modernizing the way in which the veterinary profession is regulated. It is emphasized that RCVS and DEFRA use Orders in Council to update the regulation of veterinary surgeons. The author also stresses the need of veterinary surgeons to be registered and have a license to practice.

The article presents the developments of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in Great Britain. The BVA President's activities on December 18, 2006-January 6, 2007 includes a meeting to discuss the hazardous waste regulations, and attending the Oxford Farming Conference. The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is inviting comments on its draft entitled "Animal Welfare Delivery Tactics."

The article reports on a workshop hosted by the British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) Vets and Veterinary Services team. It discusses the efforts of DEFRA to find ways of helping farm animal practice respond to the challenges it faces now and in the future. The article reports on the British Veterinary Association's view of the event.

The article offers information about the activities of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in Great Britain. The BVA Council representatives have announced the nominations for President-Elect for 2007 to 2008. Association president F. M. Scott-Park is scheduled to visit the badger research project of the association at Woodchester Park, Gloucestershire. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will review the draft on the Zoonoses (Monitoring) Regulations 2006.

The article presents developments related to British Veterinary Association in Great Britain (BVA). BVA president Freda M. Scott-Park has scheduled activities for the week ending April 1, 2006 including a meeting with Ann Waters, head of contingency planning at Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate urged its stakeholders to comment on the proposed Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2006. Health and Safety Executive has consulted on the proposed revision of the Biocidal Products Regulation.

The article focuses on various issues and activities of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in Great Britain. The BVA comments on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' recent consultation on feral wild boar management. If offers information on several meetings attended by the BVA's President F. M. Scott-Park and President-Elect D. F. Catlow in the week ending of January 21, 2006.