Gazette Letters BOVINE TB Veterinary involvement in TB control

of the local vet in the broader TB control programme in her Viewpoint article on ‘Building trust on bovine TB (VR, March 8, 2014, vol 174, pp 254-255). We absolutely agree that the value of the trusted relationship between local vets and their clients is integral to endemic disease control generally, and TB control specifically, a view also shared by representative bodies for the farming sector. Enhancing the involvement of experienced and knowledgeable local vets is consistent with British Cattle Veterinary Association’s (BCVA’s) proposals for TB Plus, as evidenced by Cymorth TB in Wales and proposed in recent AHVLA updates regarding management of persistent herd breakdowns (Defra 2014a). We believe that farmers should be able to choose who they engage with on endemic disease control. Local vets who work to a defined quality assured standard should gain an ‘option ’ of earned recognition to provide such services. While assured by the comments of the Chief Veterinary Officer and the veterinary director of the AHVLA that they too recognise the importance of utilisation and involvement of local vets in the broader TB programme, we remain deeply sceptical that such an outcome will be the result of the proposed procurement. A diminished private veterinary network alongside the reduction in AHVLA veterinary infrastructure is an unacceptable outcome. This would leave national disease surveillance and the ability to respond to any future disease emergency, utilising an experienced veterinary workforce, severely weakened. BCVA proposals for ‘industry ownership ’ for endemic disease control and surveillance have been presented and discussed with Defra as well as the Anima