Veterinarian Deplores Reference By Farmer

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 12

Veterinarian Deplores Reference By Farmer

“It would appear rather belittling for the veterinary profession, so well established and doing such an extensive job for the livestock industry under often rigorous conditions, to be classed as a middleman getting a cut out of everything the farmer produced, as Mr Baker appears to believe.” said Mr A. N. Bruere, of Waikari, last evening in a statement on behalf of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. Mr Bruere was commenting on a statement made at the Lincoln College farmers’ conference on Wednesday bv MrDavid Baker, of Cave. “I do not wish for one moment to belittle in any way the grand job veterinary clubs and veterinary surgeons, both club and otherwise, are doing, but it would appear that there is a danger of the system becoming too highly organised." Mr Baker said. “Would you like to be in the position of farmers in the United Kingdom where no drug, and few remedies are available, even m an emergency, without a veterinary- visit and prescription?” “If only the farmer used the veterinary surgeon's advice more many thousands of pounds annually would b 3 saved,” said Mr Bruere.

■ “Often the farmer uses expensive and ineffective drugs on his stock to poor advantage. and the annual waste must be very high.” In a speech in which he > said that farmers were pawns 1 of international combines, Mr ■ Baker was a little indiscreet ■ to include the veterinarian, i said Mr Bruere. Mr Baker. • who had held a Nuffield • scholarship, should have a ' wider appreciation of such ’ matters. The basic veterinary fee set out by the New Zealand ' Veterinary Association had 1 not altered in the last 20 years. “Could any other pro- ’ fession or section of the com--1 munity boast of such a ; record?” Mr Bruere asked. ! “Surely then. veterinary 1 clubs and veterinary sur--1 geons, particularly in large rural areas, are entitled to a ■ small subsidy in the way of ; profit from the drugs they most legitimately sell. “It is obvious to many pro- ' gressive farmers today that they cannot farm economically without the combined asi sistance of expert farm adi visory services, not only in veterinary matters, but also economics, pasture management and so on, and many farmers are prepared to pay ' high fees for these services ) because they appreciate the value they have gained.”