The Government recognises the importance of veterinarians who want to live and work in the UK and make a significant contribution to animal health. It is important that we do not just attract undergraduates but also provide for existing veterinary staff to have a fulfilling and satisfying career. The dropout rate from the profession is concerning. Therefore government officials are considering what can be done to attract and retain staff in the veterinary sector.<\/p>
We are currently considering the proposals received from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for a new Veterinary Surgeons Act and are also exploring how best to revise veterinary legislation accordingly.<\/p>
Following advice from Defra and the veterinary sector, the veterinary profession was added to the Government's Shortage Occupation List in September 2019. This has enabled employers to recruit overseas veterinary surgeons more easily. We will provide expert analysis and advice when the Shortage Occupation List is next reviewed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4055", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Mark Spencer"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sherwood"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mark Spencer"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-09-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "44954"} , {"_value" : "45148"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-09-20T08:48:30.317Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the steps Government could take to increase the number of foreign nationals coming to the UK to work in veterinary care.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4755", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mick Whitley"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birkenhead"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mick Whitley"} ], "uin" : "45153"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1435303", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1435303/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
As part of a joined-up approach, Defra worked across Government and with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and British Veterinary Association to successfully ensure that the veterinary profession was placed on the Home Office held Shortage Occupation List in 2019. This means that employers can continue to recruit overseas veterinary surgeons without a cap on numbers.<\/p>
<\/p>
New veterinary schools are being opened at Harper Adams and Keele, the Scottish Agricultural Colleges, the University of Central Lancashire, a joint venture between the Royal Veterinary College & the University of Aberystwyth as well as the recently accredited University of Surrey veterinary school. This means that veterinary education is expanding in the UK and will allow a greater number of graduates trained here to enter the profession in the longer term.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4380", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jo Churchill"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bury St Edmunds"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Jo Churchill"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-03-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-03-02T17:46:47.76Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2022-02-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to mitigate the decrease in EU veterinarian registrants coming to work in the UK.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4382", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daniel Zeichner"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cambridge"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Daniel Zeichner"} ], "uin" : "129155"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1136773", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1136773/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, overseas vets already registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) or in the process of registering by 30 October 2019 will continue to have their qualifications recognised. Government has legislated to ensure that new vets wishing to work here can also register with the RCVS if their qualification meets the required equivalent standards. Individuals with a degree that does not meet the RCVS equivalent will be able to apply to sit the RCVS statutory examination.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is offering free training for Official Vets (OVs) to sign Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for food products: 830 have enrolled and 379 have qualified. The total number of OVs who can sign EHCs for food products has increased by more than 300 since 8 February to 972.<\/p>
<\/p>
Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency and Animal and Plant Health Agency have reviewed processes in order to maximise the effectiveness of staff, including recruiting and training more official auxiliary staff. APHA have created a new role of Certification Support Officer to handle a number of preparatory and administrative tasks for assuring UK EHCs, under vet management. The supervising vet will retain responsibility for the assurances provided.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Gardiner of Kimble"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-09T15:37:51.783Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans are in place to guarantee access to sufficient numbers of Official Veterinarians from outside the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rogan"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rogan"} ], "uin" : "HL16923"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126512", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1126512/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, all animals, products of animal origin (POAO), fish, shellfish, crustaceans, germplasm or fishery products exported from the UK to the EU will require an export health certificate (EHC). EHCs have to be certified by either a suitably accredited Official Veterinarian (OV) or, in the case of fish and fish products, either an OV or an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) employed by a local authority.<\/p>
<\/p>
Defra does not employ OVs or EHOs so we have engaged with the private sector and local government to identify means of increasing the number of authorised signatories available. From February we have provided free training for vets to become accredited to sign EHCs. Over 300 vets have completed the training, an increase of just under 50% in the total number of suitably qualified OVs.<\/p>
<\/p>
To support OVs we also created a new role of Certification Support Officer (CSO). A CSO can handle preparatory and administrative aspects of EHCs (checking documents, identifying products or sealing containers). This will free up OV time and capacity to provide the final assurance required. The number of qualified CSOs stands at 84.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-05-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-05-22T16:28:47.687Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-05-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of additional accredited vets that will be required in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/76", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Green"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ashford"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Damian Green"} ], "uin" : "254054"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1047581", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1047581/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Veterinary graduates from EU member states will still be able to register to practice in the UK after we leave the EU. The process for doing so will depend on the final outcome of the negotiations on our departure from the EU and will be subject to Parliamentary approval.<\/p>
EU qualified vets who are already on the RCVS register will remain on the register, and those who apply for registration with RCVS by 29 March 2019 will be allowed to complete that process under existing rules.<\/em><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-01-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-01-31T14:46:39.483Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will agree to a transition period for veterinary graduates from other EU member states to continue to be registered to practise in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2478", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Rogan"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Rogan"}
], "uin" : "HL13074"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1001955", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1001955/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " On the 15th June the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) accepted a commission from the Home Secretary to review the full composition of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for the first time since 2013. The SOL covers non-EEA migration for highly skilled roles. The MAC will report in spring 2019.<\/p> <\/p> In the meantime Defra continues to work closely with other Government Departments, including the Home Office, to ensure a long term strategy for the food and farming workforce, including veterinarians, as part of the future immigration policy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-16T11:40:29.777Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to include vets on the shortage occupation list.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4682", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Luke Pollard"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Luke Pollard"}
], "uin" : "188242"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/802768", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/802768/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Defra is working closely with the Food Standards Agency, the Devolved Administrations and the veterinary sector to ensure that both the Government and veterinary businesses can continue to protect animal health and welfare, public health and food safety, and enable trade in animals and animal products. Together, we are assessing the challenges and opportunities arising from leaving the EU, with the aim of developing a flexible and skilled workforce which meets the UK\u2019s needs for both the immediate and longer term future. The Shortage Occupation List is based on expert advice to the Home Office from the independent Migration Advisory Committee and is reviewed regularly.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-12-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-12-21T13:18:58.333Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Veterinary Medicine: Migrant Workers"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will add veterinarians working in the UK\u2019s agri-food sector to the shortage occupation list after the UK leaves the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1491", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kerry McCarthy"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bristol East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kerry McCarthy"}
], "uin" : "118317"}
], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 7, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]}
}