Encouraging exchange in the House

An exchange in the House of Commons yesterday provided an encouraging insight into the Government's views on some of the College's recent initiatives relating to the future of the veterinary profession and the recruitment of veterinary surgeons into large animal practice.

Mr David Drew MP (Lab/Coop, Stroud) asked the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he had to encourage recruitment of veterinary surgeons to large animal veterinary practices, and how this was incorporated into the Government's animal health strategy.

In reply, Ben Bradshaw said: "We are working in partnership with the veterinary profession to ensure that we have a sustainable large animal veterinary sector, which is able to play a full and effective part in the implementation of the animal health and welfare strategy.

"There are a range of challenges facing large animal veterinary practice and many of these are principally for the veterinary profession to address. I therefore welcome the recent Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons' (RCVS) symposium "Postcards from the Future", as a very helpful contribution to the ongoing dialogue."

Mr Bradshaw continued: "We are training more veterinary surgeons than ever before and there is evidence that large animal work is still attractive to students. However, there are issues about the retention of newly qualified vets which were identified by research jointly funded by DEFRA and the RCVS.

"The RCVS's initiatives on the Professional Development Phase and practice standards are examples of steps taken by the profession to help ensure that farm animal veterinary work provides a challenging and rewarding career for new graduates.

"We are also working with the profession to better understand the trends within large animal veterinary practice and contributed to the RCVS 2006 Manpower survey.

"This information will help establish a stronger evidence base which should help keep the profession informed on key issues like recruitment and retention."

RCVS President Sheila Crispin commented: "I'm pleased to see that some of our many initiatives towards building a strategy plan for the future of the profession, particularly large animal practice, are being recognised by DEFRA, and although this is a first step, we look forward to working with the Department, the BVA and others to develop a way forwards."