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Animal health and welfare

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Working with the consumer

The public has a more questioning attitude nowadays and rightly looks for independence and openness from government. People want to make their own choices and to see their values reflected in decision-making about food, science and health. Consumer views are of key importance.

So, we make sure we involve consumer and mass membership organisations and consumer representatives, besides using opinion surveys. They are included in meetings and consulted so their questions can be answered and ideas taken on board. The way we work was decided together through a better tailoring of consultation methods to consumer needs.

Debby Reynolds started this co-operation when she was Chief Veterinary Officer. Discussions to date have covered strategic issues such as priority setting, consumer reactions to risk and the best methods for reaching consumer and citizen views. Policy areas have included animal welfare, fisheries and reducing the environmental impact of the food chain. The meetings also deal with specific animal diseases and the risks they carry.

We are working together well with clear progress made in areas such as:

  • a consumer organisations’ statement on the acceptability of Foot and Mouth vaccination [PDF] (12 KB).
  • influence achieved in the EU on BSE controls and poultry welfare;
  • influencing policy on avian flu vaccinations, withdrawals and marking as well as the website advice and the helpline practice.


Minutes of meetings

Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds at the meeting of consumer representatives and
membership organisations, 15 March 2007

Backgound papers

Page last modified: December 17, 2007

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs