Move to put vets back on priority visa list welcomed

Vet organisations yesterday welcomed the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) recommendation that their profession should be reinstated on the official “Shortage Occupation” list, calling the move a “huge win for animal welfare and a resounding vote of confidence in the veterinary community”.

The committee said it was clear from evidence submitted the veterinary profession was facing severe recruitment difficulties and it would recommended to the Home Office that vets should be restored to the list after being removed in 2011.

With 95 per cent of vets carrying out important health and welfare duties in abattoirs around the country, the move which would make it easier for vets from other countries to work in the UK was also welcomed by wholesalers, processors, Food Standards Scotland and others in the red meat industry.

Profession son the list are prioritised for visas to live and work in the UK. Employers hiring professional son the list also escape the Resident Labour Market Test, meaning they would not have to advertise vacancies locally before offering the role to someone from overseas.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) together and the British Veterinary Association (BVA) had gained backing from Defra in helping convince the committee that such a move was necessary to avoid a crisis in work - force capacity.

Highlighting the high proportion of EU vets working in the UK, the RCVS and BVA said concerns had been raised that an already stretched veterinary workforce could struggle to cope with increased demand for some services after Brexit.

The likely increase in demand for veterinary certification and health testing services in the event of a no-deal Brexit could also rise dramatically, placing further pressure son the workforce, they said.

BVA president Simon Do her ty said his organisat ion had met recently with immigration minis t er Caroline Nok es to press home its concerns, and urged her to act on the MAC recommendation.

NFU Scotland also welcomed the move but said that while being added to the shortage list removed some of the hurdles for recruiting staff to the veterinary professions from abroad, the £30,000 salary requirement could still present a problem.

•While welcoming the move, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) yesterday called on the Migration Adviso - ry Committee to take into account the crucial role played by others killed and semi-skilled workers in the red meat sector, such as boning-hall staff.

SAMW president Andy Mcgowan said: “Having access to these staff is fundamental to achieving the holy grail of carcase balance, which is bot he conomic ally and environmentally vital to underpinning a sustainable future for this sector.”

bhenderson@farming.co.uk