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: (L-R) Aberystwyth vice-chancellor Professor April McMahon, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans, FUW animal health and welfare committee chairman Dr Catherine Nakielny, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales Professor Christianne Glossop and FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright.[/caption]
The Farmers’ Union of Wales has today (June 29) welcomed the official opening of the Wales Veterinary Centre in Aberystwyth on the site of the former Veterinary Investigation Centre.
The Centre, which was officially opened by the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, is designed to provide support to veterinary businesses in Mid and North Wales.
FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “Alongside providing improved access to expert veterinary post-mortem examinations, the centre will be of benefit to livestock keepers by enhancing the diagnosis of new and emerging diseases of farm animals.
“Factors such as climate change are known to increase the risk of new or emerging diseases and the ability of the industry to detect such threats early is imperative for both livestock health and business sustainability.
“The devastating impacts of novel diseases, such as the Schmallenberg virus, are well known to the livestock sector and it is therefore essential that scanning surveillance is not only maintained, but strengthened in Wales.
“The FUW was therefore pleased to learn that the Deputy Minister has committed to reversing the erosion of such services by restoring post-mortem services across Wales. The opening of the Welsh Veterinary Centre represents a positive step forward.”