Committee calls for review into vet workforce challenges
MPs also challenged immigration rules which restrict overseas vets.
A committee of MPs have called for a review into challenges maintaining the veterinary workforce, amid a ‘retention problem’ for parts of the sector.
The report states that 45 per cent of the profession’s leavers had worked within the veterinary industry for four years or less. This includes 21 per cent which left within a single year.
This appeared to be most significant in public health roles, rural and large animal practices.
MPs have now called on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to commission a review into the reasons for attrition in the industry. They say findings should support evidence-based interventions, clear metrics and baseline data for monitoring progress.
Alistair Carmichael MP, EFRA committee chair, said: “The veterinary sector is highly valued and can offer a diverse range of great life-long careers, from preventing epidemics to facilitating global trade. But this country needs more of them, particularly in rural areas.
“We have heard about mental health issues stemming from the high stakes nature of the job, but Defra needs to get a bird’s eye view of what’s going wrong and plot interventions to support the workforce.”
The committee also addressed the recruitment of veterinary professionals from overseas to address shortages. It was concluded that tightened immigration laws were impacting this process.
MPs say that, by early 2027, the Home Office and Defra should set new, higher salary thresholds for veterinary professionals from abroad to secure Skilled Worker Visas. The committee said immigration restrictions should be aligned with wider workforce needs in public health and food safety.
Mr Carmichael added: “The pipeline of new vets is being undermined by ill-thought through visa restrictions and outdated higher education policies. The near closure of Cambridge University’s course should have been a canary in the coal mine, but the Government has been asleep at the operating table.
“Visa restrictions need to be reviewed lest we continue to cut off our nose to spite our face.”
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
