Tuesday 17 March, 15.10
The EFRA Committee will examine a range of issues
affecting the UK veterinary sector,
including workforce challenges, the Competition and
Markets Authority's review of the household pet
sector and the Government's
animal welfare strategy.
Witnesses will include the British Veterinary
Association, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons,
college leaders, and workforce representatives (full
details below).
The cross-party Committee will question witnesses
on the Competition and Markets
Authority's investigation which found
that, over recent years, a growing proportion
of veterinary practices have been bought by private
equity-backed companies. A provisional
decision from the Authority linked inflation-busting
costs of vet bills to a lack of competition in the market. The
panel will be asked about proposals to improve transparency
around vet bills and practices.
There will be discussion of how the veterinary sector could
adapt to proposed changes to farming
practices in the
Government's new Animal Welfare Strategy,
which vets would be tasked with inspecting. Examples include
moving away from confinement systems in farming of pigs
and hens, addressing welfare
concerns in CO2 stunning of pigs, and
promoting slower-growing chicken breeds. Vets would also be
involved in proposals in the Strategy to end puppy farming and
smuggling.
MPs will examine the financial sustainability of veterinary
colleges, following the recent near-closure of the
University of Cambridge's vet school. There are wider concerns
that a cap on Government funding for student places has made
institutions reliant on cross-subsidising domestic students
with revenue from international student fees. This has limited
the number of UK students that colleges can enrol.
There may also be questions about concerns from The Rivers Trust and
Wildlife and Countryside Link that tick and flea
treatments given to pets can poison ecosystems in rivers, and
whether these treatments should be restricted.
The Committee will also be interested to hear witnesses' views on
how a dedicated veterinary medicines agreement with the EU could
potentially improve access to medicines for vets in Northern
Ireland.
Other topics likely to be discussed include international
recruitment of vets, domestic workforce challenges and
reforms to the Veterinary Surgeons Act.
Witnesses from 3.10pm:
- Professor Caroline Argo, Dean at SRUC Veterinary
School
- Dr Rob William, President at British Veterinary
Association (BVA)
- Professor Tim Parkin, President at Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons
- Professor Matt Jones, Head at Harper and Keele
Veterinary School
