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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the report entitled Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Recommendations for future veterinary legislation, published on 13 October 2021; and whether he plans to bring forward a consultation on the reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The department acknowledges the calls from the veterinary sector to update the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Defra is actively engaging with stakeholders, including the RCVS, to explore how legislation can best address the needs of the profession and public, both now and in the future.