When staff at the Scottish Agricultural College's disease surveillance centres will be advised whether the number of centres will be reduce…

The Review of Veterinary Surveillance, chaired by former NFUS president John Kinnaird, reported on 9 November 2011. I immediately accepted a key recommendation of the review, to establish a Strategic Management Board (SMB) chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer (Scotland), and I will soon write to stakeholders seeking suggestions on who should fill the industry, veterinary and public health roles. I intend to make nominations to the SMB quickly, and the board should meet early in the New Year.
The review concluded that the number of Disease Surveillance Centres (DSCs) should be reduced, with alternative means of local service delivery put in place. The SMB will have responsibility for overseeing changes to the veterinary surveillance system, including the number of DSCs, and I expect them to tackle this issue as a matter of urgency to avoid prolonging the uncertainty that SAC staff may have. Any changes to the network of DSCs will be made in consultation with SAC staff, veterinary practitioners and livestock keepers, and will be made with the protection of animal and public health and food safety as the highest priorities.