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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the present number of farm veterinary job vacancies; and what steps they plan to take (1) to increase the number of farm vets, and (2) to encourage a new generation to enter the profession.

The Department is aware of challenges for veterinary businesses recruiting across all sectors of the profession, including farm animal vets. We have not specifically estimated the number of vacancies in the farm veterinary sector. The opening of new veterinary schools in the UK means that the numbers of veterinarians being trained here continues to grow. We are working with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the British Veterinary Association and other stakeholders to support their work to encourage recruitment and retention in the profession. We are giving careful consideration to the RCVS’s proposals, which aim to increase opportunities for veterinary nurses and other allied professionals as part of a vet-led team, creating a more robust and flexible workforce, and to foster a professional environment that is inclusive and attractive to those wishing to pursue a veterinary career.