DEFRA’s strategy for science - industry experts have a lot to offer

DEFRA’s new science strategy has acknowledged that medicines are important to the health and welfare of animals. Welcoming the publication of the strategy ‘Delivering the Evidence’, NOAH says it is good to see science being put firmly at the heart of DEFRA policy for the future – only by rooting policy in good science can consumer confidence be truly earned and animal health, and hence welfare, in the UK be improved.

DEFRA scientists will work in partnership with others, and experts in animal medicine companies have a lot to offer. “Industry experts include many scientists, including veterinary surgeons, who are involved in the cutting edge of developing new research and technologies to prevent and treat animal disease. They can recognise opportunities and pitfalls. They have studied how diseases progress and are transmitted. They would be happy to help,” explained NOAH chief executive Phil Sketchley. NOAH has already volunteered its expertise.

One priority for public and animal health, according to the report, is ‘to identify and minimise or manage the risk to humans and the environment from the necessary use of veterinary medicines in animals’. While NOAH is pleased that DEFRA has recognised the use of medicines as being ‘necessary’ (this word being an important addition to the proposed wording of this priority in the draft strategy), the association is concerned that this does not go far enough. Improved animal welfare and food safety for consumers may mean increased use of medicines, for example salmonella has been virtually eliminated from UK eggs with the stringent use of vaccines to prevent the disease playing a huge role.

“The myth that animal medicines are a negative thing still seems to have been given some credence. While managing risk is of course laudable, this is happening already through the stringent scientific criteria an animal medicine has to satisfy when going through the regulatory process, before it is allowed on the market, and measures are already in place to ensure that authorised products are used,” said Mr Sketchley. “We need to make sure this approach is balanced.

“As exemplified above, we need to maximise the benefit to humans, the environment – and animals – by greater investment in R & D to ensure effective medicines including vaccines, are available to ensure healthy animals and food! After all, healthy food does come from healthy animals, and healthy animals are conducive to a thriving rural economy,” he added.

11 June 2003

Notes for Editors

1. For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.

2. The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 35 corporate members and 14 associate members. In 2002 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £389 million UK animal health market