The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has released its animal health manifesto ahead of the upcoming general election.
It called on MPs to pledge their support of safeguarding pet and farm animal’s health and welfare, and also highlights the importance of the animal health industry.
MPs were asked to recognise the important role of animal health products and services, and to include the animal health sector’s needs in future EU negotiations, as well as supporting sustainable development of food and farming in the UK.
Candidates were also asked to “support positive health and societal wellbeing” by preventing people from having to give up pets when moving into rented accommodation or care facilities.
Dawn Howard, chief executive at NOAH, said: “NOAH’s vision is to be at the forefront of UK animal health and welfare. Our medicines protect the health and welfare of all animals: pets in our homes, livestock or fish on UK farms.
“All have a right to be treated with appropriate medicines to protect their health and welfare, to prevent disease and reduce suffering, and to ensure they can continue to provide companionship or to produce the safe, nutritious food that the UK public expects.”
She added: “Our industry underpins so much that is valued in British society. In everything we and our members do at NOAH, we aim to improve the lives of animals through encouraging responsible farming and pet ownership and promoting the safe and responsible use of medicines.”
The manifesto also focused on the role of the animal health industry in ‘One Health’ and said that animal health and welfare must be at the heart of any future UK food and farming policies.
Howard said: “The UK has a key role to play on the world stage in tackling the One Health challenges that face us all. But this starts at home with the interconnection of the health and wellbeing of people, animals and the environment.
“We need a collaborative approach to tackling issues as varied as antimicrobial resistance, improving vaccination rates and improving mental health and wellbeing.”
She added: “The successful development and delivery of future UK animal health and welfare policy will require industry and Government to rise to the challenge together.”
