veterinary policy research foundation · vprf annual report 2016/17 9 february 2018 review of...
TRANSCRIPT
Anthony Ridge, Gabrielle Laing and Lord Trees
Veterinary Policy Research Foundation
February 2018
[email protected] / [email protected]
/
Veterinary Policy Research Foundation Annual Report Oct 2016-Sept 2017
Image: parliamentlive.tv
1 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................. 2
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE VPRF ...................................................... 3
PARLIAMENTARY VETERINARY INTERNSHIP............................................................................................. 3
BASIC INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................... 4
VPRF Directors............................................................................................................................................ 4
VPRF Sponsors (2016-2017) ....................................................................................................................... 4
Parliamentary Veterinary Interns ............................................................................................................... 5
ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 ........................................................................................... 6
OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR....................................................................................................................... 6
CURRENT PRIORITY ISSUES ...................................................................................................................... 8
REVIEW OF SPONSORSHIP ....................................................................................................................... 9
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................... 10
HOUSE OF LORDS BUSINESS .................................................................................................................... 11
PARLIAMENARY AND ASSOCIATED EVENTS (2016-Present): ................................................................... 13
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS ..................................................................................... 16
NON-PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES AND OTHER ROLES ...................................................................... 18
NON-PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS, invited lectures and outreach events: .................................................. 18
VPRF NEWS ............................................................................................................... 19
BREXIT ................................................................................................................................................... 19
DIARY OF A PARLIAMENTARY INTERN ................................................................................................... 22
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT ............................................................................................................................ 23
ANNEX I: BIOGRPAHIES ............................................................................................. 27
Gabrielle Laing ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Anthony Roberts .................................................................................................................................... 27
CONTACT INFORMATION .......................................................................................... 28
2 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Acronyms
AGM Annual General Meeting
AJT Alexander John Trees (Lord Trees)
APHA Animal and Plant Health Agency
APPG All-Party Parliamentary Group
BSAVA British Small Animal Veterinary Association
BVA British Veterinary Association
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
EUC European Union Committee (House of Lords)
FAWC Farm Animal Welfare Council
HoL House of Lords
NOAH National Office of Animal Health
PVI Parliamentary Veterinary Intern
QSD Question for Short Debate
RCVS Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
VPRF Veterinary Policy Research Foundation
3 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE VPRF The Veterinary Policy Research Foundation (VPRF) was set up by Lord Trees to provide a legal
and financial vehicle which was transparent, subject to good governance and independent of
Lord Trees’ finances, with the purpose of employing an intern/researcher. It appears to be a
novel if not unique initiative in the House of Lords. The VPRF is a not-for-profit company
registered with Companies House and is funded entirely by donations. In addition to providing
research and administrative support to Lord Trees, it is intended that the internship provides a
career development opportunity for young vets. Thus, the post is advertised for either
veterinary students from year three onwards or for qualified vets.
The work of the VPRF focuses on areas relevant to
Lord Trees’ expertise and interests, including UK and
EU policy relating to agriculture, animals, food and
rural affairs; higher education; energy and
environment; health services and medicine;
international development; professional regulation;
science and technology; tropical medicine; and
veterinary matters. Lord Trees also has an interest in
policy affecting the North of England and Scotland,
and Africa and the Middle East.
PARLIAMENTARY VETERINARY INTERNSHIP In October 2016 the Parliamentary Veterinary Internship (PVI) entered its fourth year. Funding
for the internship is gratefully received from thirteen sponsors and spending is overseen by the
Board of Directors.
The internship pays well over the London Living Wage on a pro rata basis and runs for 1 year
from October 1 to September 30 with a possibility of a second year renewal. The role is
advertised, when applicable, in spring to veterinary surgeons and to veterinary students from
year 3 onwards and has received a great deal of interest on each occasion.
Contributions to House of Lords business must be well researched and supported by evidence,
but Peers appointed to the House of Lords are not provided with any staff support, nor
allowance for them. The research role of the intern is proving invaluable in this respect as our
outputs in speeches, questions and publications attest.
Through the activities of Lord
Trees in Parliament, the VPRF
aims to inform, advise and
revise, and perhaps initiate, UK
Government and, in so far as is
possible, EU legislation relevant
to the veterinary profession.
4 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
BASIC INFORMATION
VPRF Directors
NAME ORGANISATION ROLE
Professor the Lord Trees House of Lords Crossbenches Chair
Mr. Anthony Roberts RCVS Director
Mr. David Calpin BVA Director
Mr. Brian Pound CVS UK Ltd Director
Ms. Dawn Howard NOAH Director
Dr. Wendy Harrison Imperial College London Director
Lord Richard Best House of Lords Crossbenches Director
VPRF Sponsors (2016-2017)
ORGANISATION
British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA)
British Veterinary Association (BVA)
CVS UK Ltd
Goddard Vet Group
Medivet Group Ltd
National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)
Professor the Lord Trees of the Ross
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
The Royal Veterinary College
University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Science
University of Nottingham, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science
Willows Veterinary Group Ltd
Lord Trees would like to express his gratitude to the sponsors and directors who have made the
Veterinary Policy Research Foundation and the Parliamentary Veterinary Internship possible.
5 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Parliamentary Veterinary Interns
Hannah Jordan October 2013 – September 2015
Anthony Ridge October 2015 – October 2017
Gabrielle Laing October 2017 - current
Following her internship Hannah Jordan (PVI 2013-2015) spent two years working as a Policy
Officer for the British Veterinary Association. In July 2017 she started a new role as Assistant
Private Secretary to the Special Advisers to the Defra Secretary of State (Michael Gove).
Anthony Ridge (PVI 2015-2017) started work as a Senior Veterinary Inspector for the Animal and
Plant Health Agency (an executive agency of Defra) in November 2017.
6 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17
OBJECTIVES FOR THE YEAR
In order to operate most effectively we are required to respond to new political or professional
developments that arise through the year. As such the majority of our work is reactive and the
extent to which were are able to plan the years activities in detail is limited. Nevertheless,
following the VPRF AGM on 1st February 2017 the following objectives were set for 2017:
A. To appoint a new Parliamentary
Veterinary Intern to start in
October 2017
The Parliamentary Veterinary
Internship was advertised in spring
2017. Following an unprecedented
degree of interest including several
extremely strong applications
Gabrielle Laing was selected to be the
next Parliamentary Veterinary Intern.
Gabrielle qualified as a vet from the
University of Liverpool in 2010. After
qualifying she worked in mixed clinical
practice, completed a 4 year PhD at
the University of Liverpool on equine
respiratory disease in Ethiopia as well
as a six-month policy internship at the
Royal Society. She started in October
2017 with a one month hand-over
period with the previous intern, Anthony Ridge.
B. To continue outreach talks to external organisations
Lord Trees and the Parliamentary Veterinary Interns (Anthony Ridge and Gabrielle Laing) have
given presentations to several external organisations this year including Cambridge Veterinary
School, Nottingham Veterinary School, Glasgow Veterinary School, Liverpool Veterinary School,
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, The Brooke, British Equine Veterinary Association, the
University of Iowa Veterinary School and School Children in Brixton Community Riding Centre.
Topics of these presentations have included the role of the House of Lords, the VPRF and the
Parliamentary Veterinary Internship, veterinary education, antimicrobial resistance and One
Health.
7 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
C. To further develop the VPRF website and Twitter feed
The VPRF website in 2017 received new pages on Animal Welfare and Brexit and has been
updated with new fact files and several blog posts on topical issues particularly relating to Brexit
(e.g. workforce, research, animal health and welfare). We had more visits to our website in
2016-2017 year than in any previous year with a total of 3733 views by 1759 visitors in 2017.
For 2018, following a greater presence on social media there has been twice as many website
visits in January and February (905 views by 554 visitors) compared to the same period in 2017
(487 views by 204 visitors).
The effective utilisation of social media platforms to increase impact, awareness and
accessibility both within and outside of Parliament is something which we will continue to
progress in 2018. In January and February 2018 Impressions from Tweets were four times higher
than the same period in 2017, with 32.6k impressions, 1158 profile visits and 91 new followers
(compared to 8,066 impressions, 200 visits and 24 new followers previously). 370 people
followed links in Tweets to the VPRF Blog on Non-stun Slaughter, with over 40 downloading the
Fact File.
D. To update current fact files
The Antibiotic Usage and Resistance Fact file was updated in September 2017 with data from
new reports, an updated definition of “Critically Important Antibiotics” and other changes to
format and phrasing in response to feedback received.
The non-stun slaughter fact file has been updated with new data on numbers of animals
slaughtered without stunning and relaunched February 2018.
E. To create new fact files and briefings
In response to increased political and media interest in brachycephalic dogs we published a fact
file on conformation related breed disorders focusing primarily on brachycephalic dogs.
We also published a briefing paper on the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. We are very
grateful for the assistance of Rachel Hopper a PhD student from the Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine who joined us for a placement in June/July 2017 and helped us to research and create
these documents.
We are currently in the process of developing fact files on Animal Welfare and Animal Health
Sector Economics.
F. To support reform of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare
8 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
We have assisted the All Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare by hosting several of its
meetings in the House of Lords this year and working alongside the Officers of the group and its
secretary Marisa Heath to create a new structure and work plan for the group. Lord Trees
became Vice Chairman in July 2017. The group is chaired by Angela Smith MP, with other MPs as
Vice-Chairs including Rebecca Pow MP currently Parliamentary Private Secretary to the
Secretary of State, Defra, Michael Gove.
Further to our objective we have also appointed a new Director, Anthony Roberts, to replace
Nick Stace following his resignation as Chief Executive of the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons. We are very grateful for the time and support which Nick Stace has given to the VPRF
in his role as Director and wish him well in his new role as UK Chief Executive of the Prince’s
Trust. Anthony Roberts’ biography is included as an Annex to this report.
Lord Trees speaks in a debate on equine welfare, January 2017 (picture: parliamentlive.tv)
CURRENT PRIORITY ISSUES
In the coming year we will continue to seek opportunities to contribute to Parliamentary
business on matters relevant to animal health, animal welfare, the veterinary profession and
One Health.
Our current priority issues include:
Brexit and its implications for the veterinary workforce and animal welfare
Reducing non-stun slaughter and calling for mandatory methods of killing labelling for
meat products in the UK
Supporting international efforts to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by
2030
9 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
REVIEW OF SPONSORSHIP
A table showing sponsors and their contributions is included below (updated for beginning of
2017-2018 year). A formal, un-audited financial report produced by our accountant, Kelly
Accounting, is supplementary to this report.
DONOR
YEAR (1st Oct- 30th Sept)
Total pledged
(£) 2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
2019-20
British Small Animal Veterinary Association
5000 1000 1000 1000 1000
9000
British Veterinary Association 4000 4000 4000 4000 4000
20000
CVS UK Ltd 2500 2500 2500 2500
10000
Glasgow Veterinary School n/a n/a n/a 1000 1000 1000
3000
Goddard Veterinary Group 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
5000
Liverpool Veterinary School 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
12000
Professor the Lord Trees 1000 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 10000
Medivet 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500
12500
National Office of Animal Health (NOAH)
5000 5000 4000 4000 4000
22000
Nottingham Veterinary School 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
5000
Pets at Home Vet Group n/a n/a n/a n/a 5000 5000 5000 15000
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
10000 10000 10000 8000 8000 8000
54000
Royal Veterinary College 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
6000
Willows Veterinary Group 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
6000
XLVet UK Ltd n/a n/a n/a n/a 1000 1000 1000 3000
Total pledged (£) 36000 32500 31500 30500 34000 20500 7500 192500
Black = Sponsorship received with thanks
Red = Pledged but not paid
Since the initial launch of VPRF we have not solicited further sponsors but we are delighted to say
that XL vets and the Pets at Home Vet Group have offered support from 2017 and the BSAVA offered
support since 2013. We are extremely grateful for their commitments. We are also very grateful for
the support CVS UK Ltd have provided for four years up to 2016-2017.
10 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
October 2016 was the beginning of Lord Trees’ sixth year in the House of Lords and was the
fouth year of the Parliamentary Veterinary Internship (PVI). Lord Trees (AJT) usually attends
Parliament for 3 days a week from Tuesday to Thursday when the House is sitting. The House of
Lords does not usually sit on a Friday. In order to meet an increasing workload and with
agreement from trustees the parliamentary intern role was extended from three day per week
to four days per week when Parliament is sitting starting from May 2016. This is subject to
ongoing review.
AJT attended 79/142 (56%) possible attendances from October 2012-2013 76/139 (55%) possible attendances from October 2013-2014 73/136 (54%) possible attendances from October 2014-2015 75/146 (51%) possible attendances from October 2015- 2016
48/100 (48%) possible attendances from October 2016-2017 (Election year)
Source: Lords Registry System
PVI attended 103 working days from October 2013-2014 102 working days from October 2014-2015
117 working days from October 2015-2016 116 working days from October 2016-2017 (Election Year)
Source: PVI calendar
“The noble Lord, Lord Trees, talked about the shortage of vets following the UK exit [from the EU]. We
have made it clear that both the best and brightest will continue to be welcome to come to the UK, and
future policy will be based on the future consideration of the evidence. I am sure the veterinary
profession will want to contribute to that evidence picture. The noble Lord gave a number of significant
statistics, and they will certainly form part of the consideration”
Home Office Minister of State, Baroness Williams House of Lords debate on Brexit: UK-EU Movement of People
17 July 2017
11 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
HOUSE OF LORDS BUSINESS
There are a number of ways in which a member of the House of Lords can exert influence on
Government and its legislation. These include speaking in debates; initiating debates; tabling
written questions; asking oral questions; and participating in committee business. In addition,
there are a number of informal means of influence such as private meetings with Government
or Shadow Ministers, participating in All-Party Parliamentary Group meetings and writing in
appropriate publications.
Debates fall into two main types: debates on Government legislation and Questions for Short
Debate (QSDs). Only the latter can be initiated by individual Peers.
LIST OF ALL LORD TREES’ DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO PARLIAMENARY BUSINESS (2013-
present)
DATE CONTRIBUTION DETAILS
11/01/13 Maiden Speech Debate - Leveson Inquiry
30/01/13 Speech QSD - Health: Neglected Tropical Diseases
24/07/13 Speech QSD - Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Infections
29/10/13 Speech 2nd Reading: Antisocial behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Dangerous Dogs Act)
11/11/13 Written question Animals: Rabies
20/11/13 Speech QSD - Animal Welfare: Cats and Dogs
09/12/13 Speech QSD - Badgers: Bovine Tuberculosis
14/01/14 Amendment 86B &C (not moved)
Report Stage: Antisocial behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Dangerous Dogs Act)
16/01/14 Speech QSD - Animal Welfare: Methods of Slaughter (initiated)
06/02/14 Speech QSD - Health: Neglected Tropical Diseases
25/03/14 Written question Vets: Language controls
16/05/14 Email debate House Magazine debate with Lord Sheikh (Non-stun slaughter)
25/06/14 Oral question Bovine Tuberculosis (initiated)
03/07/14 Speech Debate - Rural Economy – motion to take note
17/07/14 Written question Birds of prey (Vultures and Diclofenac)
24/07/14 Speech Debate - Agriculture and Food Industry – motion to take note
06/11/14 Speech QSD - EU: Counting the Cost of Food Waste (EUC Report)
18/11/14 Amendment 92A (withdrawn)
Committee Stage: Deregulation Bill (Breeding of Dogs Act 1973)
15/1/15 Oral question Milk production
22/1/15 Speech Debate - Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 – motion to consider
04/03/15 Written question Reptiles
04/03/15 Written question Animal welfare: prosecutions
15/7/15 Oral question Hunting Act
17/9/15 Speech QSD - Dairy Industry
22/10/15 Speech QSD - Lyme disease
09/11/15 Oral question Dog breeding – and internet sales/exotic pet welfare
12 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
DATE CONTRIBUTION DETAILS
15/12/15 Speech Debate – Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing (England) Regulations 2015 – motion to regret
01/02/16 Speech QSD: Neglected Tropical Disease (initiated)
02/02/16 Oral question Zika virus
20/04/16 Speech QSD - Horserace Betting Right
19/05/2016 Written Question Slaughterhouses: Animal Welfare (CCTV)
26/05/2016 Speech Debate – The Queen’s Speech: economic affairs, energy, environment, local government and transport (spoke on animal welfare priorities)
07/07/2016 Written Question Research: Finance
20/07/2016 Oral question Brexit: UK Universities
15/09/2016
Speech QSD - Antimicrobial Resistance
26/10/2016 Written Questions x4
Animals: Post mortems
Veterinary scanning surveillance number of samples
Veterinary scanning surveillance proportionality
Dangerous dogs
Use of Community Protection Notices
Efficacy of Community Protection Notices
03/11/2016 Speech Debate - Brexit: Impact on Universities and Scientific research - motion to take note
27/11/2016 Speech Debate – Immigration: Overseas Students - motion to take note
22/11/2016 Speech Debate – Agricultural Sector (EU Committee Report) - motion to take note
29/11/2016 Written Question Poultry: Slaughterhouses
11/01/2017 Speech QSD – Equine Welfare Standards
16/01/2017 Oral question Animal welfare: penalties
16/01/2017 Speech Debate – Brexit: Fisheries (EUC Report) – motion to take note
01/03/2017 Oral Question Circuses: Wild Animals
23/03/2017 Speech Debate – EU Membership: UK Science (Science and Technology Committee) – motion to take note
23/03/2017 Speech Debate – Brexit: Environment and Climate Change – motion to take note
29/03/2017 Speech Debate - Horserace Betting Levy Regulations 2017 - motion to approve
17/07/2017 Speech Debate - Brexit: UK-EU Movement of People (EUC Report) – motion to take note
13/09/2017 Oral Question Breeding: Dogs and Cats
17/10/2017 Speech Debate - Brexit: Agriculture and Farm Animal Welfare (EUC Report) – motion to take note
24/10/2017 Oral Question Animal Welfare Offences
19/12/2017 Speech Burn's Report on the Size of the House
13 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
11/01/2018 Oral Question Food Safety Standards: Brexit
07/02/2018 Oral Question Non-stun Slaughter
PARLIAMENARY AND ASSOCIATED EVENTS (2016-Present):
Hosted
DATE EVENT
Nov 2016 NOAH 30 year anniversary event
Jan 2017 VPRF AGM and dinner
2017 & 2018
All Party Group for Animal Welfare meetings (5 meetings Feb 2017-2018)
June 2017 BVA Parliamentary briefing session
Attended
DATE EVENT
Oct 2016
International Funds for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Awards
DEFRA meeting on equine biosecurity (intern attended)
National Farmers Union drop-in session
Nov 2016
RCVS Brexit Roundtable discussion – ‘meat hygiene’
RCVS President’s reception
World Horse Welfare parliamentary reception
Secondary legislation scrutiny committee – briefing (intern attended)
Higher Education and Research Bill parliamentary briefing
Parliamentary and Scientific Committee lunch
Blue Cross Pet Welfare conference (intern attended)
Dec 2016 World Malaria Report 2016 launch meeting
Jan 2017 Companion Animal Economics Parliamentary Briefing – Mars Petcare/Battersea (intern attended)
Feb 2017
BVA London Dinner
APPG Lyme Disease meeting
Battersea Cats and Dogs home animal cruelty sentencing briefing (intern attended)
Banning Primates as Pets – BVA/Born Free parliamentary briefing (intern attended)
APPG Malaria and NTDs – 5th Anniversary of the London Declaration
RCVS Brexit Workshop – Westminster Hall (intern attended)
APPG Global Health meeting
Brexit and Animal Welfare reception
Scottish Peers Dinner
Mar 2017 Dog Theft Awareness Briefing
All Party Group for Animal Welfare meeting
April 2017 WHO Global Partners Meeting on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Geneva
May 2017 Policy UK: Dangerous Dogs Forum (intern attended)
June 2017 Royal Society of Edinburgh Parliamentary Lunch
APPG Neglected Tropical Diseases AGM
July 2017 League Against Cruel Sports Reception
Sept 2017 RSPB Reception
14 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
APPG Antibiotics AGM
Oct 2017
Antibiotic Resistance UK Conference (intern attended)
Greener UK briefing – Brexit and the environment
Meeting with Nick Herbert MP on Neglected Tropical diseases and Multidrug resistant TB
All Party Group for Animal Welfare meeting on Livestock Worrying
RSPCA Assured ethical food labelling lunch
Nov 2017
APPG on Agriculture and Food for Development ‘Future of Agriculture and the role of family farmers’
APPG Northern Powerhouse Launch
APPG Lyme Disease
Meeting Farmwel on non-stun slaughter and labelling
Dec 2017
*Woodland Trust: Putting down new roots: woods, trees and the post-CAP Landscape
Dogs Trust ‘Puppy Smuggling’ reception and briefing lunch
*Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation & Conservative Environment Network ‘Brexit : Opportunities for Farm Animal Welfare and the Environment’
All Party Group for Animal Welfare meeting on future of farming
Meeting FAI on antibiotic use in food-producing animals
Jan 2018
‘Through the eyes of vets’ an exhibition by the BVA
APPG on Racing and Bloodstock
APPG on Lyme Disease (GL)
BVA London Dinner (GL)
Brexit and Animal Welfare reception
Quality research for effective policies – London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (GL)
APPG on Veganism and Vegetarianism reception (GL)
Regular catch-up with CVO Nigel Gibbens
Meeting with Defra on VCCP project
EFRA Committee: Animal Welfare Act 2018 (GL)
Parliamentary Networks for Gender Equality and Social Mobility talk
Greener UK Policy briefing on EU Withdrawal Bill (GL)
Meeting with Office of MP Kerry McCarthy on Non-stun Slaughter (GL)
Feb 2018 APPG Malaria and NTDs – Chaired visit and presentations from University of Oxford MSc Students to Parliament
15 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Promoting “One Health” at the World Health Organisation
Geneva, 19 April 2017
Lord Trees attended the World Health Organisations (WHO) Global Partners Meeting on
Neglected Tropical Diseases as a representative of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group for
Malaria and NTDs on 19 April 2017. Sitting alongside distinguished guests including Bill Gates,
Kofi Anan, Margaret Chan (Director General, WHO) Monique Eloit (Director General, World
Organisation for Animal Health, OiE) and Lord Bates (UK Minister, Department for International
Development).
He spoke on the interconnectivity of human and animal health and the contributions which vets
can and do make in tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases globally such as rabies.
More about the meeting: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/global-partners-meeting/en/
16 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
Lord Trees with House of Lords EU Select Subcommittee on Energy and Environment during the inquiry into
the impacts of Brexit on Agriculture, March 2017
EUROPEAN UNION COMMITTEE
The European Union Committee of the House of Lords is comprised of the EU Select Committee and six subcommittees dealing with different policy areas. Together they work to scrutinise the UK Government’s policies and actions with respect to the EU. They consider and seek to influence the development of policies and draft laws proposed by the EU institutions and more generally represent the House of Lords in its dealings with the EU institutions and other Member States. They also run inquiries and produce several types of publications. Reports are well respected in Parliament as sources of high quality information on topics relating to the EU and the introduction of each report to the House is accompanied by a debate that serves to highlight its major finding.
Lord Trees has sat on two EU committees in the House of Lords: The EU Select Committee (2015-2017) which met weekly to scrutinise high level EU business and to provide oversight of the six EU subcommittees and the EU Subcommittee for Energy and Environment (2014-2017).
Since the UK referendum decision on 23 June 2016 to leave the UK the committees have engaged in a series of short inquiries to inform government opinion on the impacts which leaving the EU may have on the UK.
REPORTS TO WHICH LORD TREES HAS CONTRIBUTED
House of Lord EU Select Committee
The referendum on UK membership of the EU: assessing the reform process – Published July 2015
The EU referendum and EU reform – Published March 2016
The process of withdrawing from the European Union – Published May 2016
Children in crisis: unaccompanied migrant children in the EU – Published July 2016
17 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Brexit: parliamentary scrutiny – Published October 2016
Brexit: UK-Irish relations – Published December 2016
Brexit: options for trade – Published December 2016
Brexit: acquired rights – Published December 2016
Brexit: financial services – Published December 2016
Brexit: future UK–EU security and police cooperation – Published December 2016
Brexit: UK-EU movement of people – Published March 2017
Brexit: Gibraltar – Published March 2017
Brexit: Crown Dependencies – Published March 2017
House of Lords EU Subcommittee for Energy and Environment (formerly Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Energy)
The north sea under pressure: is regional marine cooperation the answer – Published March 2015
EU energy governance – Published December 2015
Responding to price volatility: creating a more resilient agricultural sector – Published May 2016
Brexit: fisheries – Published December 2016
Brexit: environment and climate change – Published February 2017
Brexit: Agriculture – Published May 2017
Brexit: Farm Animal Welfare – Published July 2017
Peers’ membership of House of Lords EU Committees are limited to 3 years. Lord Trees’ period
on the EU Subcommittee for Environment and Energy and hence the parent EU Select
Committee ended at the end of the last Parliament (April 2017). This was with regret on his part
and indeed that of Committee members.
Other parliamentary committees
Parliamentary & Scientific Committee
APPG for Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees
APPG for Animal Welfare (APGAW) – Vice Chair
APPG for Antibiotics – Co-Chairman
APPG for Beef and Lamb
APPG for Dairy
APPG for Eggs, Pigs and Poultry
APPG for Lyme Disease
APPG Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (Officer)
APPG for Science and Technology in Agriculture
APPG for Sustainable development goals
APPG for Universities
AD-HOC PARLIAMENTARY MEETINGS
Defra – Lord Gardiner (Minister), Nigel Gibbens (Chief Veterinary Officer) and others
APHA - Simon Hall and Richard Irvine
Food Standards Agency – Heather Hancock (Chair) and others
BVA – Gudrun Ravetz (President) and others
RCVS – Chris Tufnell/Stephen May (Presidents) and others
18 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
BSAVA – John Chitty (President) and others
Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre – Heather Jones
Mission Rabies – Luke Gamble and Clarissa Baldwin
Veterinary Record – Adele Waters (Editor)
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home – Mike Webb and Phoebe Harris
Blue Cross – Steve Goody (Deputy CEO) and others
Pets at Home/Companion Care – Sally Hopson (CEO) and others
Veterinary Capability and Capacity Project – Frank Busch
Dogs Trust
NON-PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES AND OTHER ROLES
Foundation for Science and Technology – Council member
RCVS Fellowships Appointment Group (FAG) – Chair
Moredun Research Institute, Edinburgh – Chair of Board
Veterinary Record and In Practice (BMJ publications) – Veterinary Editor in Chief
Pet Plan Charitable Trust – Trustee
Zoonoses in Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) Independent Program Advisory Group (ZIPAG) – Chair
Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) Advisory Board – member
World Health Organisation Zoonotic Neglected Tropical Disease (zNTD) working group – member
The Blue Cross - Goodwill Ambassador
Member of interview panel for Chief Veterinary Officer (England)
Soulsby Foundation - Trustee
NON-PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS, INVITED LECTURES AND OUTREACH EVENTS:
DATE DETAILS
06/10/2016 Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) reception and dinner
12/10/2016 RCVS “Speaker at lunch” presentation to staff (Lord Trees presented)
12/10/2016 Foundation for Science and Technology debate: UK Flood Resilience (intern attended)
12/10/2016 RCVS “Speaker at lunch” presentation to staff (Lord Trees presented)
13/10/2016 Glasgow Veterinary School – lecture to veterinary students on One Health
20/10/2016 European Congress on Animal Welfare (AWSELVA), Portugal (intern attended)
29/10/2016 University of Cambridge, Veterinary School careers day (intern attended and presented)
03/11/2016 The Brooke (equine welfare charity) lunchtime lecture (intern attended and presented)
10/11/2016 World Horse Welfare Conference
16/11/2016 Foundation for Science and Technology debate: Implications of Brexit on Research
23/11/2016 RCVS Past Presidents’ Dinner
18/01/2017 Nottingham Veterinary School careers day (intern attended and presented)
19/01/2017 ZIPAG meeting London chaired
23/01/2017 Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems Conference, Tanzania
19 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
02/02/2017 Proud to be Brook – The Brook (equine welfare) conference (intern attended)
28/02/2017 Petplan Veterinary Awards Judging Panel meeting
28/02/2017 Foundation for Science and Technology skills debate (intern attended)
13/03/2017 BVA Brexit Working Group Meeting (intern attended)
17/03/2017 VPHA conference: controlling tapeworms (intern attended)
28/03/2017 Bovine TB symposium
30/03/2017 Pet Food Manufacturers Convention Annual Convention
03/04/2017 Royal Society of Edinburgh dinner
06/04/2017 BSAVA Congress, Birmingham
26/04/2017 Foundation for Science and Technology debate: Urban Air Pollution
03/05/2017 Keith Entwhistle Lecture, Cambridge University Veterinary School (invited
lecture)
16/05/2017 BVA Scottish Dinner
22/05/2017 World Organisation for Animal Health (OiE) General Session (intern attended)
05/06/2017 BVA Animal Welfare Foundation Forum (intern attended)
28/06/2017 Royal College of Pathologists Dinner
06/07/2017 Veterinary Education Symposium, University of Liverpool (keynote address)
07/07/2017 RCVS day (intern attended)
12/07/2017 NOAH antibiotic resistance and the food chain event
VPRF NEWS
BREXIT We have been keeping a close eye on Brexit related matters affecting animal welfare and the
veterinary profession. Lord Trees has taken several opportunities to speak in the House of Lords
to question Ministers from the Home Office and Defra. Through his membership of EU
Committees he has been closely involved with several Brexit related inquiries which, amongst
others, have published reports on Brexit: agriculture and Brexit: farm animal welfare, Brexit: UK-
EU movement of people, Brexit: fisheries and Brexit: environment and climate change.
In July 2017 during a debate on EU-UK movement of people he highlighted imminent threats to
the sustainability of the UK veterinary workforce to the Home Office Minister Baroness Williams.
He outlined key statistics concerning veterinary workforce shortages and asked the Home Office
Minister:
1. Can the Minister assure the House that non-UK EU nationals currently working in vital sectors such as veterinary science will be given the same rights in the future which mirror those that would have applied were we to remain in the EU?
2. What is the Government doing to inform EU nationals in their own countries that they are welcome and under what conditions?
3. Will the Home Office restore vets to the Shortage Occupation List – from which they were removed in 2011?
20 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
In her reply Baroness Williams, Minister of State, Home Office stated:
“The noble Lord, Lord Trees, talked about the shortage of vets following the UK exit. We have
made it clear that both the best and brightest will continue to be welcome to come to the UK,
and future policy will be based on the future consideration of the evidence. I am sure the
veterinary profession will want to contribute to that evidence picture. The noble Lord gave a
number of significant statistics, and they will certainly form part of the consideration. The noble
Lord also suggested that vets should be on the shortage occupation list. That list is produced by
the independent Migration Advisory Committee, and the Government do not act independently
of the MAC in this regard.”
…
“The noble Lord, Lord Trees, asked what steps the Government were taking to make it clear to
EU nationals that they are welcome in the UK. We have made it clear that so long as the UK
remains a part of the EU, EU citizens have full rights to come here and remain welcome. We
have made this point clearly and repeatedly.”
In this debate Lord Trees was followed by a senior Conservative peer, Lord Cormack who said “it
is a privilege to follow the noble Lord, Lord trees, because his speech illustrates one of the
cardinal virtues of this house: he speaks form a back ground of a life time’s experience in, and
knowledge of, his subject. I think I am right in saying that he is the only veterinary surgeon who
is currently a Member of your Lordships’ House and how fortunate we are to have him.”
Lord Trees also spoke during a debate in October 2017 on the EU subcommittee reports on
Brexit: agriculture and Brexit: farm animal welfare with Defra Minister Lord Gardiner.
He took the opportunity to ask the Minister to:
1. further clarity on the rights of non-UK EU vets to continue to work in the UK post Brexit
2. give assurances that animal welfare standards would not slip as a consequence of
setting up new trading relationships
3. ensure that the transposition of EU medicines regulations into UK law ensures that
current and future medicines required for animal health are available.
4. consider how financial inducements might be used to help to maintain animal welfare
standards (e.g. during reform of farming subsidy payments)
5. ensure that the EU Withdrawal Bill includes transposition of General Principles of EU law
such as the Lisbon Treaty (Article 13) which requires the sentience of animals to be
recognised in making and interpreting current and future laws.
Defra Minister, Lord Gardiner’s reply stated:
21 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
“In government we absolutely recognise the key role played by vets in ensuring high animal
welfare and health standards. Indeed, the Prime Minister specifically made it clear that securing
the status of the veterinary workforce is a top priority. It has been my privilege to meet many EU
nationals who serve in our veterinary profession and I can say how important they are to us.”
Lord Gardiner mentioned welfare standards several times, re-iterating the Government’s
position that the UK’s current standards of animal welfare will be maintained post Brexit. He
also stated that the Government plans “to replicate broadly the EU’s current schedule of WTO
commitments” in its future trade agreements allowing tariffs to be maintained at current level
but acknowledging that decreases in tariffs can adversely impact farmers, consumers and the
food industry.
BVA/RCVS parliamentary briefing event
In June 2017 Lord Trees hosted a BVA/RCVS Parliamentary briefing event attended by the
Minister Lord Gardiner as well as Parliamentarians from all political parties, senior civil servants
and other key stakeholders. Lord Gardiner referenced the event the following day in the Lords’
chamber while answering a question on post-Brexit retention of skilled workers.
Meeting with Defra Minister Lord Gardiner
In July 2017, we arranged a meeting with Lord Gardiner, to discuss both present and future
challenges to the selection, education, recruitment and retention of UK veterinarians and to
bring a small delegation of veterinary employers. We were accompanied by a delegation of
veterinarians including representatives from clinical practice (Major Employers Group, Society of
Practicing Veterinary Surgeons, rural farm/equine practice), meat hygiene (Eville and Jones),
higher education (Veterinary Schools Council) and professional organisations (the British
Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons). The delegation presented
an overview of the challenged being faced across the industry particularly in relation to Brexit
22 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
and heard about an ongoing project at Defra assessing the UK veterinary capability and capacity.
Our input was warmly welcomed by Lord Gardiner and his Defra colleagues.
Article in The House magazine
Lord Trees was approached to submit and article on how Brexit could impact the veterinary
workforce to The House magazine. This is a publication which goes out to all Parliamentarians
across both Houses. The veterinary sector was selected by the editor as one of four key sectors
affected by workforce shortages post Brexit alongside creative industries, higher education and
seasonal agricultural workers. A copy of Lord Trees’ article is available on our website.
DIARY OF A PARLIAMENTARY INTERN
The intern has continued to write regular diary articles which are published in the Veterinary
Record Careers section. Our website now includes links to the full list of diary articles written by
the previous two Parliamentary interns. Links to some of the most recently published diary
articles report are copied below:
Feb 2018: Non-stun slaughter question in the House of Lords (Gabrielle Laing)
Dec 2017: A new parliamentary intern for Lord Trees and Animal Sentience (Gabrielle Laing) October 2017: A leap into the unknown: Anthony’s parting thoughts August 2017: Brexit vets and immigration June 2017: The World Association for Animal Health (OiE) April 2017: A murder at Westminster March 2017: Parliamentary activities behind the scenes January 2017: Considering future career options
VPRF FACT FILES AND BRIEFINGS
Non stun slaughter Fact File
Animal Sentience & Animal Welfare Act 2018
Antibiotic Usage and Resistance Fact File
Brexit Veterinary Impacts Fact File
Conformation Related Diseases Fact File
Higher Education and Research Act 2017
1-page key summaries have been added to Fact Files in 2018
23 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
EVIDENCE OF IMPACT
Non-stun Slaughter
In light of FSA figures for non-stun
slaughter which showed that numbers
were increasing, on February 7th 2018
Lord Trees asked the Government how
they were to minimise these numbers.
An APGAW meeting has also been
dedicated to discussing options for
labelling. Having compiled an evidence
driven and impartial Fact File update,
this was circulated to Peers, MPs and
external organisations including media
outlets. There was good engagement
from the Chamber with many Peers
raising points of interest detailed in the
Fact File. There was some national and
specialist media coverage with articles
in The Times1 (with a reach of
5.5million) and two articles in the Daily
Mail Online with a reach of 220 million. 2, 3
1 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/meat-labels-set-to-show-if-animals-were-not-stunned-zqrr3fsbv 2 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5365405/Sheep-slaughtered-without-stunned-doubles.html 3 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5398031/Halal-kosher-meat-ending-British-food-chain.html
24 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Animal Sentience
On 23rd November, in the Commons a
Government majority rejected an
amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill to
include the principle of ‘Animal Sentience’
into the EU Withdrawal Bill which created
much media and public interest. The VPRF
compiled an Animal Sentience Briefing
which summarised this fast moving
situation, accompanied by a website blog
post and Diary of an Intern article in the Vet
Record.
This will continue to be a subject for
discussion as a similar amendment is
proposed to the EU Withdrawal Bill as it is discussed in the House of Lords in Spring 2018.
Brachycephalic dogs
In September 2017 Lord Trees spoke during an oral question in the Lords’ chamber on the
breeding of dogs and cats:
“Many people—well-meaning people—keep certain breeds, which, because of their
conformation, are so deformed that they will suffer ill health and stress throughout their lives.
The popularity of breeds such as the French bulldog and the Scottish fold cat is increasing, partly
endorsed by advertising, celebrity endorsement and social media. While it may be difficult to
introduce legislation, does the Minister agree that we should do all that we can to persuade
people that the keeping of such breeds is not cool?”
His contribution and, particularly his reference to ownership of brachycephalic dogs as “not
cool”, has since featured in several press articles (below) and has been complimented with a
movement in the profession to approach companies using unhealthy breeds in advertising.
25 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Mandatory CCTV in abattoirs
In August 2017 the Government announced new plans to make CCTV mandatory in all
slaughterhouses in England. Lord Trees has been an active proponent of this change submitting
a written question to the Minister on this subject in May 2016 and calling for the mandatory
introduction of CCTV in equine abattoirs during a debate on equine welfare standards in January
2017.
26 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
Higher punishments for animal cruelty
Lord Trees with Anthony Ridge (intern 2015-17) promoting tougher sentences for animal welfare offences
at a League Against Cruel Sports Parliamentary reception in July 2017
In December 2017, Secretary of State for Defra Michael Gove announced a new draft Animal
Welfare Act for 2018 with plans to increase the maximum custodial sentence for animal cruelty
offences in England from six months to 5 years. Lord Trees has spoken twice during Oral
Questions in the House of Lords chamber to promote and support this change. Once in January
2017 where he also called on the Government to consider bringing in statutory requirements for
the enforcement of animal welfare legislation and more recently in October 2017 where he
welcomed the Government’s proposals and highlighted the importance of adequate
punishment for those who abuse animals in view of the increasing recognition that such
individuals often go on to abuse people.
27 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
ANNEX I: BIOGRPAHIES
Gabrielle Laing
Gabby graduated in 2010 from the University of Liverpool with a commendation in Veterinary
science. During her undergraduate degree she volunteered and conducted research in India,
Bolivia and Argentina. After graduating she spent 18months in mixed practice in Yorkshire, near
to where she grew up. She specialised in equine and spent 6months at an equine practice in
Greater Manchester, before returning to Liverpool to start a PhD.
In 2012 she joined the Institute of Infection and Global Health to study Veterinary Epidemiology.
Her PhD was on the respiratory diseases of the working horses of Ethiopia. It was a mixed
methods project with qualitative and quantitative epidemiological research and 12months field
work in Ethiopia.
During that time she developed her interest in One Health concepts and policy, becoming a
member of the European Network for the Evaluation of One Health, authoring an evaluation of
integrated approaches to health policy.
Before taking up the internship, Gabby continued clinical work at the PDSA and private practice
and completed a 6 month internship at the Royal Society.
Anthony Roberts Anthony is responsible for the delivery of the strategic ambition to become a Royal College with
leadership and innovation at its heart. Leadership work includes the implementation of a
programme to support the next generation of veterinary leaders and develop leadership
opportunities across the veterinary professions, and the completion of the RCVS governance
review to ensure that we are an effective and efficient organisation, better able to lead the
profession and serve the needs of the public. Innovation incorporates the development of
initiatives to ensure the veterinary professions are at the centre of innovation in the animal
health sector, to position the professions as open to innovation, and to ensure the RCVS serves
to foster innovation whilst continuing to protect animal health and welfare.
Anthony also leads the development and delivery of a programme of work to prepare the
College and the profession for the impact of Brexit and the implementation of evidence-based
measures to drive the transition to a supportive ‘learning-culture’ in the veterinary professions.
Anthony has worked at the RCVS for seven years and has been responsible for delivering key
projects such as the First Rate Regulator Initiative (2012/13) and the launch of the new Practice
Standards Scheme (2015). Prior to joining the RCVS Anthony worked in public affairs and media
relations at the British Plastics Federation, the trade association for the UK plastics industry.
Anthony holds an MBA from Warwick Business School (2016), an MA (Hons) in Philosophy and
Politics from the University of Edinburgh (2004) and the CIPR Diploma in Public Relations (2009).
28 VPRF Annual Report 2016/17
February 2018
CONTACT INFORMATION
Gabrielle Laing
Tel 0207 219 7294
Email [email protected]
Lord Trees
Tel 0207 219 7278
Email [email protected]
COMPANY INFORMATION
Veterinary Policy Research Foundation
Office of Lord Trees, House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel 0207 219 7294
http://wordpress.vprf.com
@Vet_policy
Reg. Company Address: VPRF, Belgravia House, 62- 64 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AF
Company No.: 8680372