9 in 10 production animal vets now conduct their own post-mortems (PMs) following the closure of some laboratories in the APHA surveillance network, reveal figures from the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey published last week, prompting BVA to call for innovation in capturing PM data.
The survey statistics come six months after (25 June) the Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced Defra’s commitment to big data. In 2014, there was a 31% increase in production animal vets carrying out their own PMs following post mortem laboratory closures yet most vets keep this PM data at their practice, with less than 5% inputting it into a national system such as NADIS, AHT or APHA and less than 1% to a benchmarking group.
Sean Wensley BVA President said: “We have heard a lot about big data and its positive uses economically and socially. Disease surveillance could be a shining example of where big data and innovative data capture comes into its own. In a global world, where diseases such as Schmallenberg and bluetongue can emerge in our livestock without having previously been seen on these shores, being able to quickly join up the dots of disparate disease data is vital.
“We understand that Defra and APHA must make difficult choices due to economic pressures and we very much welcome research already utilising post mortem data such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s Fallen Stock Project. What we now need is clear communications and guidance on carcase collection and access to PM examination arrangements together with a determination to see this as an opportunity to innovate, exploring how digital technology can help vets in the field record and capture data that feed into national databases and help us to see the bigger picture.”
BVA is asking that all vets affected by laboratory closures are clearly informed about alternative arrangements for carcase collection and PMs, with 63% of vets affected by laboratory closures reporting that carcase collection in their local area was not working well.
BVA is calling on government and industry to lead in developing new and cost efficient ways to capture and analyse disease and surveillance data, drawing on innovations in digital technology and big data analysis.
Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs Llyr Gruffydd has warned that Defra budget cuts are exposing Welsh farming to a greater risk of disease outbreaks.
Llyr Gruffydd expressed concern that the retention of post-mortem information in private offices will undermine Wales’s ability to respond effectively to disease outbreaks, and called for measures to ensure such data is shared across England and Wales.
Mr Gruffydd said: “Defra has faced one of the biggest reductions of all government departments in recent years, with a further 15% cut to its budget announced in November.
“The implications for agricultural services in Wales are great, as Defra, through public bodies such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency, plays a key role in our ability to respond to animal disease outbreaks – especially disease surveillance.
“Fewer services from Defra will mean that Welsh agriculture and our environment is exposed to greater risks, putting even greater pressure on already-stretched Welsh Government services.
“The figures released by the BVA reveal that these cuts are already having an impact on access to post-mortem services, forcing more private vets to conduct their own post-mortems. In addition, 63% of vets affected by APHA laboratory closures reported that carcass collection in local areas was not working well.
“These budget cuts, by causing more post-mortem information to be retained in private offices rather than national databases, endanger the UK’s capacity to effectively respond to disease outbreaks.
“I echo the call made by the BVA for innovative and cost efficient measures for the capture and analysis of PM data, so that Wales continues to be able to respond effectively to disease outbreaks, despite UK cuts.”
