Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Sky, Lochaber and Badenoch, yesterday (02/09/15) spoke at the meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) to object to the proposed closure of the Inverness Animal Disease Surveillance Centre (ADSC).

The Committee took evidence from SAC Consulting Ltd, the commercial arm of the Scottish Rural University College (SRUC).  The evidence was given by Mike Wijnberg, Managing Director of SAC Consulting Ltd, and Brian Hosie, Head of Veterinary Services for SAC Consulting Ltd.

Scotland currently has 8 Disease Surveillance Centres and Mr Thompson raise the serious issue of the closure of the Inverness DSC at the committee meeting.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said: “I am very concerned that, if the Disease Surveillance Centre in Inverness were to close, there will be serious economic and agricultural repercussions.  If there is no facility that is easily reached, then farmers, smallholders and crofters will struggle to get their animals to a DSC for investigation.

“I suggested that the Edinburgh DSC is closed instead, as there are alternatives within easy reach for those based in the Lothian area and the roads in Lothian are in much better condition than those in the North.

“To close the Inverness DSC goes far against what the Scottish Government are trying to do to build up the Highlands.  I did suggest that, if the SRUC need to raise capital, they could relocate Inverness DSC to Dingwall and sell the land at Drummondhill, which would be very profitable for them, and release much needed funds into the research of Animal Diseases.

“If we are going to build up the Highlands, then we need to have a bit of reverse thinking where the retention and possible expansion of these small facilities needs to be looked at.

“I very much hope that SAC Consulting and the SRUC take on board my comments and retain this vital service in the Highlands.

Notes:

Video coverage of yesterday’s committee meeting can be viewed at: http://www.scottishparliament.tv/category.aspx?sort=date&vid=0_1i9i8ewy

Agenda item 3 – Review of Animal Disease Surveillance Centres can be viewed from 2 hours 50 minutes into the video.

Dave’s first comments are at 3 hours 7 minutes into the video.

Spice Briefing, including a map showing the coverage of each DSC can be found at:  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsheets/S4/SB_15-47_Animal_Disease_Surveillance_in_Scotland.pdf