§ Mr. LivseyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by his Department in(a) 1971, (b) 1975, (c) 1980, (d) 1985, (e) 1986, (f) 1987, (g) 1988, (h) 1989, (i) 1990, (j) 1992, (k) 1994, (l) 1996, (m) 1998, (n) 2000 and (o) 2001. [155623]
§ Ms Quin [holding answer 26 March 2001]The number of veterinary surgeons (full-time equivalents) employed by the State Veterinary Service since 1979, the earliest date for which we have accurate figures, is given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to know that since 1980 the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), which previously formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated812W in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. 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 from that date. In 2000, there were 99 veterinarians employed by VLA. Much of the information presented was previously given in the answer of 27 February 1997, Official Report, columns 323–24W.
Of the 285 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2001 as a whole, 220 veterinarians are employed as field veterinary officers. The work of these officers is supplemented by about 100 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) from the private sector in normal times.
Year Number of vets 1979 597.5 1980 580.5 1985 527.5 1986 506.5 1987 464.5 1988 444.5 1989 422.0 1990 430.5 1992 414.5 1994 408.3 1996 301.2 1997 289.5 2000 284.0 2001 286.0