The welfare of the Isle of Man’s livestock is the “immediate priority” in the wake of potential disruption to veterinary services for farmers, the Manx parliament has been told.
It follows major key provider Milan Veterinary Practice announcing its intention to stop offering the services – leading to much concern from farm staff about a potential mass shortage of care.
Although the concerns led to the chain agreeing to continue its services, it was only on an “interim” basis, with a review due in the new year.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber said the government was now working with the industry to understand its veterinary needs and how they could be met in future.
She said discussions were also underway with the Enterprise Department over potential support schemes to help new and existing practices expand into farm work, or increase capacity.
Milan’s parent firm IVC Evidensia had previous notified its customers of its intention to withdraw from the island’s farming market on 30 November, stating it was “no longer sustainable”.
‘More time’
In a letter to the firm following that initial announcement last week, the Manx National Farmers’ Union warned the removal of services at short notice would put “animal welfare at very high risk”.
A lack of capacity at other practices to take on Milan’s clients meant the local dairy and meat trade and all island exports risked “catastrophic failure” as farms not registered with a vet would “not be able to remain as Red Tractor assured”, the union said.
The situation would also see disease management and prevention “suffer significantly”, it added.
Barber told Tynwald members the island’s chief vet had hosted a meeting for all veterinary practices on the island on Monday evening to “understand any barriers” and “explore potential solutions”.
It was “clear” there was “a strong desire and commitment from the veterinary community to find those long-term sustainable solutions and explore opportunities for collaboration”, she continued.
“The chief veterinary officer has been clear that the immediate priority is maintaining animal welfare and ensuring farmers continue to have access to veterinary care for their livestock,” she told politicians.
The minister said while the temporary reprieve “gives us a little more time”, it was “clear that alternative arrangements need to be found as quickly as possible”.
Without access to the services “it would be almost impossible for people to continue farming”, she said, and her department had engaged with the union to “develop a survey to better understand the needs and requirements of farmers”.
