Equine Dentistry (Hansard, 14 January 1999)

§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)
My Lords, those equine dental procedures that are considered to be acts of veterinary surgery may be undertaken only by a registered veterinary surgeon or by a registered dentist at the request of a veterinary surgeon.

§ Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior
My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. However, does he agree that there is some urgent need for a revision of Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which would regulate not only veterinary dentists but also all other paraprofessionals who operate on horses in one way or another?

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, I confess that I always tremble a little when the noble Lord rises to speak on these major issues of policy strategy because his great knowledge dwarfs anything that I can ever hope to achieve. However, I am very relieved—I think—to say that I agree with everything he said and is going to say. Yes, I can confirm that we do feel that there is a need for amendments in this respect. We very much appreciate that the 1966 Act is somewhat clumsy in its operation and, in many ways, inadequate in its definitions. That leads to problems for veterinary surgeons—that is, problems of delegation to, for example, the nurses. Indeed, it can lead also to problems for animal owners because where non-qualified people carry out such acts, they risk causing harm to the animal and a loss of insurance compensation. We are fully appreciative of the situation, but I cannot give the noble Lord any timetable because the department also has a number of other priorities, especially as regards legislation. Nevertheless, I can tell the noble Lord that I 272 thought the letter from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of 2nd December, which set out the case very clearly, was excellent. I am very sympathetic to it.

§ Baroness Trumpington
My Lords, despite what the Minister said—in other words, from the horse's mouth—is he aware that many of the horse-owning lay public regard "equine dentists" as qualified individuals and ask them to undertake really complicated bits of work, such as extractions of teeth, which they should never be doing? Indeed, anything above the rasping of teeth or the most basic requirements should be carried out only by fully qualified veterinary surgeons.

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, that issue is set out in the letter and is one of the matters that the department is considering.

§ Baroness Byford
My Lords, I should like to press the Minister a little further on the matter. I understand that negotiations or discussions have been taking place between the noble Lord's department and the veterinary college. However, can the Minister say when they started, when they will conclude and when we might perhaps see the outcome of such discussions?

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, I can tell the noble Baroness that they started in response to the 1996 report of the Royal College and discussions have continued since that time. However, I cannot say when they will conclude because they will only do so satisfactorily with changes to Schedule 3 to the Act. I really cannot give any guarantee on when the latter might take place.

§ Baroness Sharples
My Lords, is the Minister aware that insurance companies may refuse to pay when treatments which cause damage to horses are carried out by unregulated vets?

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, we are aware of the situation. Indeed, that is one of the problems associated with using unqualified people in such operations. All owners should be aware of the risks involved, and that could also apply in the area of artificial insemination.

§ Baroness Gardner of Parkes
My Lords, as regards instances where horses' teeth have to be extracted due to dental decay, would it not be wise to advise owners to consider a change of diet and encourage them to give more carrots to their horses and fewer sugar lumps?

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, as a frequent feeder of sugar lumps to certain horses, I take note of what the noble Baroness has said.

§ Lord Rowallan
My Lords, this is a serious subject. Are the Government aware that three people in the United Kingdom have practised equine dentistry for over 20 years? They are Bob Livock, Gary Singh, and Steven Holmes. They estimate that they spend more than 25 per cent. of their time rectifying mistakes made by other people, often vets. Should not the Government seriously consider talking to these three gentlemen with 273 a view to setting up a training centre because it is now possible for people to go to the United States and after only three weeks obtain a certificate of proficiency in equine dentistry, when they are obviously not proficient in that subject?

§ Lord Donoughue
My Lords, I am certainly not proficient in that subject. This is a matter of how one regulates the profession and who is qualified to do what. We are in the process of considering that matter but it is quite complex. A whole range of issues have been put to us that require legislation. I assure the noble Lord that I certainly take those issues seriously, but I cannot guarantee rapid action.