§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by the State Veterinary Service in each year from 1979 to present. [17629]
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[pursuant to his reply 27 February 1997]: The number of veterinary surgeons employed by the State Veterinary Service at 1 January each year since 1980 is detailed in the table. Since 1980, the structure of the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The central veterinary laboratory which previously 566W formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. As from 1 June 1990, the figures do not include the CVL. The veterinary investigation service became part of the VLA on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures since then.
Year Number of vets 1980 583.0 1981 571.0 1982 549.0 1983 549.5 1984 545.5 1985 530.5 1986 511.5 1987 464.5 1988 442.5 1989 442.0 1990 450.0 1991 407.0 1992 414.5 1993 420.0 1994 410.3 1995 394.5 1996 301.2 1997 289.5