CONSUMER ATTITUDES TO ANIMAL VACCINATION EXAMINED AT NOAH
CONFERENCE
Details of a recent survey revealing increased consumer
awareness of animal medicines were examined by food industry stakeholders
during the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)’s conference, held at The
Royal Society in London today.
Titled ‘The role of vaccination in animal health – future
technology and societal acceptance’, the conference presented the consumer
survey results as part of a wider discussion on the role for vaccination and
new technologies in managing the threat of emerging diseases.
Encouragingly, the survey, carried out by the Institute
of Grocery Distribution (IGD) on behalf of NOAH, found that consumers have
confidence in those working in the food chain to use animal medicines
appropriately and produce safe food.
It highlighted that consumer awareness of animal
medicines has significantly increased in recent years – 74% are now aware
that animals are vaccinated to prevent disease, compared with only 58% only
2 years ago – while the level of consumer concern about animal medicines has
not increased correspondingly. In fact, the proportions stating treatment or
vaccination as their major concern remain extremely low, at only 1% and 3%
respectively.
Speaking at the conference, Phil Sketchley, chief
executive of NOAH, emphasised the need for continuing advances in vaccine
technology combined with clear communication. “We need to thoroughly explore
the role vaccination has to play in animal health and, most importantly, how
we can best communicate with the public to improve understanding and
acceptance of new technologies which protect both our livestock and
ourselves.
“It is extremely positive that we already have consumer
confidence in the food chain and its use of animal medicines, but we must
continue to be vigilant and be prepared to address future disease threats.”
Mr Sketchley highlighted the examples of bluetongue, now
a real and present danger to UK livestock which only three or four years ago
had not been given much serious thought, and Rift Valley Fever, a zoonotic
disease which has already reached the North African coast on the
Mediterranean and moves steadily closer to Europe each year.
In addition to consumer attitudes and emerging diseases,
speakers from the animal health industry and food supply chain addressed the
conference on topics including European technology for global animal health,
bluetongue vaccines, and societal and regulatory interactions in vaccine
development.
25 February
Notes for Editors
For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131,
or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal
Health represents the UK animal medicines industry: its aim is to
promote the benefits of safe, effective, quality medicines for the
health and welfare of all animals.
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