§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many animal health inspectors are now in post; what qualfications were required for recruitment; what training provision was undergone by recruits; and what arrangements have been made for reviewing the effectiveness of training and the working of the scheme as a whole.
§ Mr. MacleanThere are currently 547 state veterinary service (SVS) staff appointed as inspectors by the Minister for the purposes of the Animal Health Act 1981. All veterinary offices are qualified on entry to the SVS to be334W appointed as veterinary inspectors for the purposes of the Act, without further training. The technical support staff (animal health officers) receive training on entry to the SVS over at least two years, on the provisions of the Act and its associated orders, the service of statutory notices and the duties of an inspector under the Act. The performance of all inspectors is constantly monitored as part of the routine staff appraisal process, and appointments can be withdrawn if duties are not effectively carried out.