§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many non-United Kingdom nationals are currently practising in the United Kingdom as official veterinarians in abattoirs; what assessment he has made of their level of competence in the English language; and what tests are used to ensure that the level of language competence is adequate. [22829]
§ Mr. RookerThe Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) is responsible for Official Veterinary Surgeons (OVSs) working in abattoirs in Great Britain. Nine of the OVSs directly employed by the MHS are non-United Kingdom nationals. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for OVSs working in abattoirs in Northern Ireland. Three of its OVSs are non-United Kingdom nationals. In both cases, the selection process includes a formal interview during which communication skills must be demonstrated.
The MHS also contracts out OVS services to veterinary agencies and practices. Seventy-eight (out of 486) are non-United Kingdom nationals.
In liaison with the University of Bristol, the MHS is responsible for the management of the OVS training courses. The MHS has introduced an assessment for non-United Kingdom nationals to assess their ability to understand and communicate in English.