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Shortage of Veterinarians in the UK

Shortage of Veterinarians in the UK Brexit, food safety, Food Security, labour shortage, Legal, meat, People & Skills, poultry & seafood, regulation, supply chain, Technical, trade, Training & recruitment, UK vet shortage Food and Beverage Business

Brexit has had a significant impact on the UK’s veterinary workforce, particularly in the field of food production. Vets play a crucial role in ensuring animal welfare and consumer safety in abattoirs and in conducting post-mortem checks. With the UK’s exit from the EU, products of animal origin now require certification from Britain for export, which was not the case before. This certification is essential for international trade amounting to around £15 billion annually. Vets also carry out safety checks on imported food to ensure it is free from disease and packed properly. Given their expertise in identifying and controlling the spread of disease in animal products, veterinary surgeons are internationally recognized as the most qualified professionals for these tasks.

However, since Brexit, the UK’s veterinary workforce has faced a severe shortage, mainly due to restricted access to EU vets. Before Brexit, a significant number of EU veterinary graduates worked in the UK. However, new requirements such as visas and English language tests have made it more challenging for non-UK vets to work in the UK. As a result, the number of new EU registrants in the UK has dropped by more than two-thirds. This shortage is concerning, especially as the demand for certification for export to the EU has significantly increased following Brexit.

One of the reasons for the shortage may be the lack of awareness and promotion of the role of veterinary public health in the UK. Many people are not aware that vets play a crucial role in abattoirs and other areas of food production. This lack of awareness may deter potential veterinary students from considering this field of study. In contrast, in many European countries, veterinary public health is seen as a prestigious and honorable career.

Efforts are being made to address the shortage and low retention rates of UK vets in the field of food production. However, it will take time to see significant improvements. In the meantime, there are various options for vets to specialize in specific aspects of production or work in larger food businesses. Vets can also pursue careers in food safety, government roles, and agencies such as the Food Standards Agency.

Overall, addressing the shortage of veterinary workforce is crucial to ensuring animal welfare, public health, and international trade. Greater promotion and awareness of the role of veterinary public health and investment in educational resources and training opportunities are needed to attract and retain more vets in this field.

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