HL Deb 09 May 2002 vol 634 cc192-3WA
Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have to train private veterinary surgeons in the identification and treatment of notifiable diseases when involved in the support of the State Veterinary Service. [HL4099]

Lord Whitty

Private veterinarians are appointed as local veterinary inspectors (LVIs) by the department in order to carry out specific functions.

Part of the appointment process involves departmental training in those areas to which the appointment relates. The objectives of such training are to improve the ability and performance of the LVI in carrying out work for the department and to provide motivation to achieve and maintain satisfactory standards.

Following a successful assessment of the trainee's suitability, a temporary appointment of six months will be established. During this period an assessment of the officer's competence will be made. Satisfactory assessment leads to a full appointment.

It is the responsibility of the department to maintain a level of training suitable for the LVI to perform his or her functions. Training is complemented with written instructions, newsletters and practice liaison meetings during which new issues and instructions are discussed. The department's official journal of the SVS, State Veterinary Journal, is published and distributed to LVI practices bi-annually. These publications have included a series of articles on notifiable diseases. All LVIs have access to a departmental veterinary officer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received on the recommendation of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Foot-and-Mouth Disease Interim Contingency Plan for private veterinary surgeon practices to be contractually obliged to spend a minimum number of days working in animal health offices. [HL4100]

Lord Whitty

No specific representation has been received on this recommendation. However, my officials have entered into discussion with the British Veterinary Association and other stakeholders on future arrangements between the private veterinary profession and the State Veterinary Service.

Lord Redesdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the experience and training of non-British veterinary surgeons in notifiable diseases. [HL4101]

Lord Whitty

During the course of the recent foot and mouth outbreak the department was assisted by foreign government veterinarians and temporary veterinary inspectors (TVIs). These veterinarians were registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

European Community (EC) directives provided for mutual recognition of veterinary qualifications and free movement of veterinary surgeons within the European Union.

Those government veterinary surgeons seconded to Defra who graduated from veterinary schools not eligible for full registration by the RCVS received termporary MRCVS registration. All vets on the temporary register were placed under the jurisdiction of a named veterinary surgeon who was responsible for their professional conduct.

To assist in the process of analysing the experiences of those government veterinarians who helped in the eradication of FMD, questionnaires completed by foreign vets are in the process of being evaluated.