Animal Health was a UK government executive agency primarily responsible for ensuring that farmed animals in Great Britain were healthy, disease-free and well looked after.
One of its key roles was to implement government policies aimed at preventing - or managing - outbreaks of serious animal diseases, and in doing so support the farming industry, protect the welfare of farmed animals and safeguard public health from animal borne disease.
In England and Wales it also worked to protect public health by ensuring that dairy hygiene and egg production standards were met.
It also regulated the trade in endangered species through CITES.
Previously Animal Health was known as State Veterinary Service.
The Scottish arm of the organisation was a member of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services).
On 1 April 2011 it merged with the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to form the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency.
Famous quotes containing the words animal and/or health:
“Afflicted with existence, each man endures like an animal the consequences which proceed from it. Thus, in a world where everything is detestable, hatred becomes huger than the world and, having transcended its object, cancels itself out.”
—E.M. Cioran (b. 1911)
“At last I feel the equal of my parents. Knowing you are going to have a child is like extending yourself in the world, setting up a tent and saying “Here I am, I am important.” Now that I’m going to have a child it’s like the balance is even. My hand is as rich as theirs, maybe for the first time. I am no longer just a child.”
—Anonymous Father. Ourselves and Our Children, by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, ch. 5 (1978)