EFFECTIVE animal disease surveillance protects the livestock industry, the safety of food and human health, the environment and the economy (Defra 2013). Summarising the results of a consultation on proposals set out in its document, ‘Surveillance 2014 and beyond’, the AHVLA says: ‘The majority of respondents reported concern that the proposals would not meet the defined objectives. A lack of detail and a series of unproven assumptions were identified as problematic, together with issues around quality, geography and cost were all cited as reasons for these concerns. Loss of trust and confidence in the AHVLA could result’. It also …