Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

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.

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.

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.