Move puts chief vet role in jeopardy.

(From Aberdeen Press & Journal)

Byline: joe.watson

The role of Scotland's chief vet in managing animal disease outbreaks north of the border could be put in doubt if farming ministry Defra succeeds in setting up a new quango, it emerged yesterday.

Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead expressed strong concerns that the nation's lead veterinarian may become answerable to the proposed organisation rather than Scottish ministers and parliament.

He is now seeking urgent clarification from Defra on the plans it announced on Monday for a new animal disease body that was initially only understood to have a disease policy and management role in England.

It, however, transpires the planned Defra quango could also have the power to dictate the management of disease outbreaks across the UK with its chief executive and chairman making decisions on the basis of advice received from the UK's chief vet, who appears to be getting new overarching powers over the lead vets in the devolved administrations.

The Scottish Government's veterinary team has won considerable plaudits from industry over its handling of various diseases, not least foot-and-mouth in 2007 where it took the lead in dismantling movement controls and in being seen to be more responsive to industry needs.