In the last editorial I wrote some 2 months ago I drew attention to the effects of the war in Ukraine, and particularly the enhanced risk of disease transmission that inevitably accompanies such mayhem and the associated movement of people, animals, and animal products going along with inadequate surveillance. Little did I know that within weeks we would have a suspected case of foot and mouth disease or swine vesicular disease in England! This suspect case probably has nothing whatsoever to do with the unrest in Ukraine, and thankfully proved to be a false alarm, but it does remind us of the enhanced risk currently, and the need for us to be cognisant of that risk, and remain hypervigilant, as I said previously ‘keep your eyes open and expect the unexpected’.
The other big news story for our sector in recent weeks has been the publication of the government food strategy, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-food-strategy. This long-awaited publication seeks to outline the government's strategy towards food production and supply in England and I would urge all those with an interest in nutrition, agriculture, and food supply chains to read it.
Some highlights from the perspective of a food animal veterinarian are, a pledge from the UK government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the environmental impacts of the food system, in line with net zero commitments and biodiversity targets, and preparing for the risks from a changing climate and an ‘export strategy goal to reach £1 trillion of exports annually by 2030 and supporting more UK food and drink businesses, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, to take advantage of new market access and free trade agreements’. Furthermore, the government are ‘committed to spend over £270 million through the Farming Innovation Programme and are supporting £120 million investment in research across the food system in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) in addition to other funding packages’. They will also support a wide range of other issues, including alternative proteins and gene editing, and will launch a call for evidence of the use of feed additives to reduce methane emissions from livestock.
There is also a commitment to publish a land use framework in 2023, to ensure net zero and biodiversity targets are met and help farmers adapt to climate change. As well as mention of the Sustainable Farming Incentive to improve soil quality and invest in hedgerows, encourage optimal use of fertilisers and pesticide and support regenerative farming practices. It is also stated that the ‘Animal Health and Welfare pathway will involve government funded vet visits and advice to farmers about measures to improve the health and welfare of their animals, with one of its objectives being to control endemic disease in farmed animals’ and continue the reduction in use of antibiotics. Mention is also made of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, which it is said, will create a new simpler regulatory regimen to allow researchers and breeders to unlock the benefits of technologies such as gene editing.
The document also states that the sanitary and phytosanitary regimen will evolve based on evidence to face the modern global challenges of antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic diseases in relation to free trade agreements. Interestingly perhaps, here zoonotic disease is mentioned but not potentially devastating livestock diseases that are not zoonotic!
This strategy document undoubtedly gives a taste of what is to come from this government but is perhaps most remarkable not for what is says, but for the fact that a long awaited 33-page document can say so little and leave so many unanswered questions. The devil will certainly be in the detail for this one, and as yet, we have precious little detail.