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Veterinary Medicine: Labour Turnover

Asked by Dr Neil HudsonConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 23 September 2025UIN 76055

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department are taking to help increase the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of vets in the public sector.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

Defra is aware of the numerous challenges facing recruitment and retention of qualified veterinary surgeons into Government roles. The Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Food Standards Agency have been looking at ways to increase recruitment into Government and Defra has been working with the vet sector at blockers and options to support recruitment and retention.

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