§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many vets were employed by the state veterinary service in each year since 1997. [14058]
§ Mr. MorleyThe number of veterinary surgeons employed by the state veterinary service at 1 January each year since 1997 is given in the table.
Of the 286 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the state veterinary service, 220 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 1997 289.5 1998 302.0 1999 283.0 2000 284.0 2001 286.0