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News & Reports
News & Reports OV SERVICES
TB tendering must take account of quality, says BVA THE BVA has written to Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, about the Government’s plans to procure TB testing services through a system of open tendering, urging him to ensure that the design of the proposed procurement exercise takes account of the quality of bids as well as price. The Association understands that Treasury officials are currently considering the approach to be taken during the tendering exercise and says it wants to make sure that they are fully aware of the issues at stake. In a letter to Mr Alexander dated February 21, Robin Hargreaves, the BVA President, explained that the BVA was fully committed to the bovine TB eradication programme, with its members playing an essential role in its delivery, not only in testing cattle, but also in advising farmers on how to mitigate the risks of the disease. He continued: ‘We remain unconvinced that a system of open tendering for bovine TB testing is the only way forward. However, we understand the financial pressures on government departments and agencies to deliver value for money across all services. We also want to work with government to ensure that TB testing is carried out to the highest standard. We have therefore participated constructively throughout the stakeholder engagement process in an effort to ensure that the proposed procurement does not result in unintended consequences that would have a detrimental impact on the bovine TB eradication programme in England and Wales.’ The letter notes that, while the BVA recognises that the Government wants to reduce the cost of TB testing to the taxpayer, the Association has consistently made the case that the procurement of TB testing must
not be based on cost alone. Also, it points out, ‘AHVLA has recognised the importance of maintaining the close relationship between government, local veterinary practices and farmers. A survey conducted by AHVLA in 2012 found that livestock keepers rated services higher when they were accessed via an intermediary, ie, a private veterinary surgeon. Local vets bring a wealth
‘Awarding contracts to the cheapest providers is unlikely to engage smaller local veterinary practices and the added value that they bring in terms of the broader picture of TB eradication, which in turn may impact on their viability and undermine the network of rural veterinary practices’ of experience and flexibility in serving both livestock owners and Government.’ Conversely, it points out, ‘awarding contracts to the cheapest providers is unlikely to engage smaller local veterinary practices and the added value that they bring in terms of the broader picture of TB eradication, which in turn may impact on their viability and undermine the network of rural veterinary practices. This network is at the heart of disease surveillance and would be a crucial part of our national response in the event of another major disease outbreak.’ The BVA points out that these veterinary practices are also small rural businesses, adding: ‘We would therefore hope and expect this to be taken into account in light of the Prime Minister’s commitment to opening up government business to SMEs, as well as the aspiration set out in the Coalition Programme for Government for 25 per cent
of central government procurement spend to go to SMEs.’ It says it fully endorses the Coalition Government’s commitment to SMEs and to rural economic growth, and believes that the procurement of TB testing and other Official Veterinarian services provides ‘a perfect opportunity to demonstrate these values’. The letter notes that, in 2012, a survey of 64 veterinary practices carried out by the British Cattle Veterinary Association found that practices expected their veterinary workforce would be reduced by, on average, 30 per cent if they were unable to continue TB testing and that this would be in addition to any impact on administrative and support staff. It also points out that the last inflationary uplift of OV fees took place for the financial year 2009/10 so, in real terms, OV fees have decreased since this period. It further notes that much of the £26 million spent on TB testing in England and Wales by the Government each year is concentrated in the south west and south of England and the south and west of Wales. These areas are currently struggling to deal with the impact of the recent floods and, it suggests, ‘forcing rural veterinary practices out of business will do little to support the fragile economic recovery’. The letter concludes by urging Mr Alexander to ‘ensure that the design of the proposed procurement takes into account both the quality and price of bids, recognising the added value that rural veterinary practices can deliver as part of the national bovine TB eradication programme, and their essential role in providing the capacity to deal with major animal disease outbreaks.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.g1757
March 1, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 207
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on July 10, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
TB tendering must take account of quality, says BVA Veterinary Record 2014 174: 207
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1757 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/207
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To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
News & Reports
News & Reports OV SERVICES
TB tendering must take account of quality, says BVA THE BVA has written to Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, about the Government’s plans to procure TB testing services through a system of open tendering, urging him to ensure that the design of the proposed procurement exercise takes account of the quality of bids as well as price. The Association understands that Treasury officials are currently considering the approach to be taken during the tendering exercise and says it wants to make sure that they are fully aware of the issues at stake. In a letter to Mr Alexander dated February 21, Robin Hargreaves, the BVA President, explained that the BVA was fully committed to the bovine TB eradication programme, with its members playing an essential role in its delivery, not only in testing cattle, but also in advising farmers on how to mitigate the risks of the disease. He continued: ‘We remain unconvinced that a system of open tendering for bovine TB testing is the only way forward. However, we understand the financial pressures on government departments and agencies to deliver value for money across all services. We also want to work with government to ensure that TB testing is carried out to the highest standard. We have therefore participated constructively throughout the stakeholder engagement process in an effort to ensure that the proposed procurement does not result in unintended consequences that would have a detrimental impact on the bovine TB eradication programme in England and Wales.’ The letter notes that, while the BVA recognises that the Government wants to reduce the cost of TB testing to the taxpayer, the Association has consistently made the case that the procurement of TB testing must
not be based on cost alone. Also, it points out, ‘AHVLA has recognised the importance of maintaining the close relationship between government, local veterinary practices and farmers. A survey conducted by AHVLA in 2012 found that livestock keepers rated services higher when they were accessed via an intermediary, ie, a private veterinary surgeon. Local vets bring a wealth
‘Awarding contracts to the cheapest providers is unlikely to engage smaller local veterinary practices and the added value that they bring in terms of the broader picture of TB eradication, which in turn may impact on their viability and undermine the network of rural veterinary practices’ of experience and flexibility in serving both livestock owners and Government.’ Conversely, it points out, ‘awarding contracts to the cheapest providers is unlikely to engage smaller local veterinary practices and the added value that they bring in terms of the broader picture of TB eradication, which in turn may impact on their viability and undermine the network of rural veterinary practices. This network is at the heart of disease surveillance and would be a crucial part of our national response in the event of another major disease outbreak.’ The BVA points out that these veterinary practices are also small rural businesses, adding: ‘We would therefore hope and expect this to be taken into account in light of the Prime Minister’s commitment to opening up government business to SMEs, as well as the aspiration set out in the Coalition Programme for Government for 25 per cent
of central government procurement spend to go to SMEs.’ It says it fully endorses the Coalition Government’s commitment to SMEs and to rural economic growth, and believes that the procurement of TB testing and other Official Veterinarian services provides ‘a perfect opportunity to demonstrate these values’. The letter notes that, in 2012, a survey of 64 veterinary practices carried out by the British Cattle Veterinary Association found that practices expected their veterinary workforce would be reduced by, on average, 30 per cent if they were unable to continue TB testing and that this would be in addition to any impact on administrative and support staff. It also points out that the last inflationary uplift of OV fees took place for the financial year 2009/10 so, in real terms, OV fees have decreased since this period. It further notes that much of the £26 million spent on TB testing in England and Wales by the Government each year is concentrated in the south west and south of England and the south and west of Wales. These areas are currently struggling to deal with the impact of the recent floods and, it suggests, ‘forcing rural veterinary practices out of business will do little to support the fragile economic recovery’. The letter concludes by urging Mr Alexander to ‘ensure that the design of the proposed procurement takes into account both the quality and price of bids, recognising the added value that rural veterinary practices can deliver as part of the national bovine TB eradication programme, and their essential role in providing the capacity to deal with major animal disease outbreaks.’ doi: 10.1136/vr.g1757
March 1, 2014 | Veterinary Record | 207
Downloaded from http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/ on July 10, 2015 - Published by group.bmj.com
TB tendering must take account of quality, says BVA Veterinary Record 2014 174: 207
doi: 10.1136/vr.g1757 Updated information and services can be found at: http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/174/9/207
These include:
Email alerting service
Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up in the box at the top right corner of the online article.
Notes
To request permissions go to: http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions To order reprints go to: http://journals.bmj.com/cgi/reprintform To subscribe to BMJ go to: http://group.bmj.com/subscribe/
