Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the mutual recognition of veterinary professional qualifications between the EU and the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

Although no discussions have taken place with the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on this matter, we have discussed the mutual recognition of professional qualifications with Taskforce 50 as part of the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Defra continues to work in partnership with stakeholders including the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and British Veterinary Association to prepare for any impacts to the veterinary profession resulting from the UK leaving the EU.