Defra Secretary Michael Gove has been accused of offering no plan to tackle the threat of migrant veterinary workers leaving post-Brexit.
The Government has been urged to address a potential shortfall in vets working in abattoirs following Britain’s departure from the EU.
According to current laws, vets must be in all UK abattoirs ensuring animal welfare and food safety standards, and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) estimates that 95% of these Official Veterinarians come from elsewhere in the EU.
There is concern from vet groups, the meat industry and animal welfare organisations that the UK will see a sudden drop in the veterinary workforce after Brexit.
The BVA is urging the Government to guarantee the existing rights of all non-UK EU vets and vet nurses working and studying in the UK.
They have asked for specific regard to be given to the profession in formulating a new post-Brexit immigration policy to ensure the workforce has the necessary capacity and capability.
Britain's reputation
Speaking in the House of Commons today (7 December), the Liberal Democrat's Tim Farron asked Defra Secretary Michael Gove whether he would release an impact assessment on the availability of vets in abattoirs after the UK leaves the EU.
Commenting, Mr Farron said: "Britain rightly has a reputation for world leading standards in animal welfare and food safety.
"Given that 95% of these vets are EU nationals, this government’s ideological determination to use Brexit to make our country less appealing to migrant workers poses a very real threat to both animal welfare and food standards in our meat industry.
"Losing these vets would create a massive shortfall which would be difficult to fill with domestic workers, and I worry that rules requiring vets to be onsite at every abattoir would be relaxed.
"It’s unsurprising but unacceptable that Michael Gove hasn’t ordered his Department to carry out an in-depth assessment into this issue. He offered no plans to tackle this threat."
'Crucial role'
British Veterinary Association President Gudrun Ravetz said the UK's EU colleagues play a "crucial role" in helping the UK maintain animal health, animal welfare, and public health for society.
“The veterinary profession is relatively small, so the loss of even a small percentage of the workforce would have a significant impact. The time has come for the Government to provide clear guarantees and stop using people as bargaining chips,” Ms Ravetz said.
Figures recently released by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the veterinary profession’s regulator, show 44% of EU vets living in the UK are fearful about what the future holds.
Two in five vets are saying they are now more likely to leave, and 18% are actively looking for work outside the UK.
The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) has issued its ‘Brexit negotiation plea’, emphasising the role the veterinary profession plays in animal health, food safety and antimicrobial resistance.
