HL Deb 30 July 1997 vol 582 c59WA
Lord Peston

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Veterinary Field Service will become a "Next Steps" executive agency.

Lord Donoughue

My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has decided that the Veterinary Field Service (VFS) should not at present become an executive agency.

Following an internal review of MAFF veterinary services under the last government, the VFS structure was streamlined. One recommendation in that review was that the VFS should become a "Next Steps" agency. It would be inappropriate to proceed with a move to agency status given the moves towards establishing the Food Standards Agency and devolution, which have implications for the State Veterinary Service.