To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) for his assessment on the figure, given by the British Veterinary Society, of a 10-12 per cent shortage of vets in Northern Ireland; and (ii) what plans he has to address this shortage.

I am aware of the British Veterinary Association’s figure, and believe this to be a reasonably authoritative statement of the position, especially in the run-up to Brexit. This figure is also supported by anecdotal information on the difficulties employers are encountering recruiting sufficient experienced vets for the vacancies that exist, both here in Northern Ireland and beyond.

It is not however within the gift of the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to address this shortage, though I am pleased that veterinarians have recently been added to the Shortage Occupation List, facilitating their recruitment from outside the UK.

I also note the recent increases in the capacity of the university system to supply higher numbers of graduates in the future, with larger class sizes in existing facilities, and new veterinary schools coming on stream in other colleges across the United Kingdom.

In this respect, I am also very supportive of proposals to develop undergraduate veterinary education here in Northern Ireland, should the local universities decide to take this forward.