New report could pose threat to Thurso vet lab
THE future of the vet lab in Thurso could come under the spotlight again following the publication today of a Scottish Government report.
The Kinnaird report sets out route map for "improvements in Scottish surveillance system" which could see a reduction in the number of Scottish Agricultural College surveillance centres – one of which is Thurso.
The Review of Veterinary Surveillance, carried out by a panel chaired by ex-NFUS president John Kinnaird, proposes establishing a strategic management board – chaired by Scotland’s chief vet and including industry representatives and vets – to oversee veterinary surveillance, and that this board should consider a phased reduction in the number of Disease Surveillance Centres, putting in place alternative means of service delivery.
It also suggests establishing a single central laboratory to test surveillance samples from the DSCs.
Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said he has accepted the recommendation to set up a strategic management board and would consider the remaining recommendations carefully.
"An efficient and effective early warning system to identify new and emerging disease threats is vital to the success of our livestock industries which is why I commissioned this review," he said.
"I am immediately accepting the recommendation to establish a strategic management board, bringing industry, veterinary and public health representatives into the decision-making process. I have written to stakeholders today to seek their views on who should be appointed.
"I will now consider other parts of the report and recommendations carefully and will make announcements in due course."