The Collaboration Award Shortlist

TB Team, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer

The TB team within the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer has been responsible for delivering a key commitment within the One Wales agenda. They have done this by implementing new and innovative ideas and legislation through effective collaboration with others. By developing joint working relationships such as setting up Regional Eradication Delivery Boards with a number of people – including external experts, farmers, private vets, Local Authorities, the media and other countries, the team have been able to deliver an efficient process, leading to a reduction in the number of animals slaughtered, and have made a saving of £12m in annual compensation payments.

Some major successes achieved from collaborating with others include:
•    Involving the veterinary and farming industry to gain their support and strengthen surveillance and controls, sharing the costs of such action between government and the industry.
•    Developing relationships with other countries to share knowledge and experience, e.g. visits from New Zealand representatives.
•    Collating 13,500 consultation responses, the greatest number ever received within Rural Affairs.

This has led to:
•    European acceptance of a UK TB Eradication Plan for the first time, accompanied by the allocation of ££2.3m for Wales for 2010.
•    Reduced annual compensation payments from £24m (2008) to ££12m (2010)
•    Reduced number of animals slaughtered from 11,500 (2009) to 7,500 (2010).
•    Increased revenue through implementing slaughterhouse contracts for the removal and slaughter of TB cattle.
•    Improved working relationship with Local Authorities to ensure successful prosecutions.
•    Sharing expertise on EU procurement with others who are developing difficult tenders.