McAleer welcomes progress on Vet faculty

Mr McAleer said: “Local vets play a crucial role in supporting our farmers and in the abattoirs to safeguarding the health and welfare of animals. Veterinary practitioners are central to the agriculture industry and their role is crucial to the economy.

“Brexit has created serious challenges for the profession and the implementation of the protocol will place huge demands on vets, particularly for certification. This pressure is compounded by our reliance on citizens from other EU countries to fill veterinary positions and unfortunately many of our veterinary students train in other EU countries and then continue to work overseas.

“At the AERA committee last week, the chief vet confirmed that the department needs to recruit an additional 25 vets, 75 port inspectors and administration staff for the ports.”

Mr McAleer continued: “The news that discussions with Queens and Ulster University on the development of a veterinary faculty here in the north are at an advanced stage is very welcome and will hopefully create more opportunities for our local veterinary students.

“This is also particularly crucial as we head towards the end of the transition period where vets will play a central role in facilitating trade with Britain and other countries and ensuring that the island of Ireland remains a secure epidemiological unit for animal health and welfare,” he added.