The Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis, The TB Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory. Biennial Report, 2016-17

The UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (UCD CVERA) is the national resource centre for veterinary epidemiology in Ireland, located within the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin. The Centre was initially established as the Tuberculosis Investigation Unit, but has since broadened its remit to cover a wide range of international, national and local animal health matters, including: Epidemiological support for the control and eradication of regulatory animal diseases, including the national eradication programme for bovine tuberculosis, and for emergency animal disease preparedness and response; Work in support of Animal Health Ireland (www.animalhealthireland.ie), which is providing a proactive, coordinated and industry-led approach in Ireland to non-regulatory animal health concerns (such as mastitis, bovine viral diarrhoea and Johne’s disease); and Epidemiological support for a broad range of other animal health and welfare issues relating to animal health surveillance, on-farm investigations, welfare of farmed livestock and horses, health of companion animals and farmed fish, and international collaboration. UCD CVERA staff work closely with national policy-makers, both in government and industry. Staff also contribute to training in veterinary medicine, both to undergraduates and postgraduates. A broad range of expertise is represented within the Centre, including database development and management, geographic information systems, statistics, veterinary medicine and epidemiology. The Centre is staffed by employees of University College Dublin and of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). During 2017, a strategic review of CVERA took place in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health Ireland and other stakeholders. As a result of the review, CVERA has developed clearly defined strategic goals, objectives and expected outcomes for the medium term. These are presented in the CVERA Statement of Strategy 2017-20. Three priority areas have been identified for immediate action, including the establishment of an independent management board, the introduction of systems to improve task management within CVERA, and a communications plan.