Survey highlights veterinary concerns over APHA lab changes
14th Feb 2017 / By Alistair Driver
Changes to APHA's post mortem laboratories have affected vets' access to the facilities, according to a survey by the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
The BVA's ‘Voice of the Veterinary Profession’ survey showed that a third of vets affected thought their access to facilities had deteriorated where changes had been made. Where there have been laboratory closures, three-quarters of vets say there has been a decline in carcase submission rates.
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The BVA survey results follow hot on the heels of news that APHA's Bury St Edmunds laboratory is to cease post mortem testing next year.
An APHA spokesperson said concentrating testing in fewer locations with bigger specialist teams would 'ensure the agency has the best expertise in the right place to respond to future animal disease outbreaks and detect and investigate new threats to protect animal health, people and trade'.