Vets who provide disease control surveillance in farm animals on behalf of the Scottish ministers will receive a near 30% pay increase from tomorrow (Thursday, August 1).
The current fees payable to official veterinarians (OVs) were last reviewed and agreed in April 2017.
OV payment rates will be subject to a cumulative inflationary increase of 29.9% and will be maintained going forward by offering an increase of around 2% annually from April 2025.
The Scottish government said official veterinarians play a vital role in the delivery of a range of statutory duties and provide important support to the UK government’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
They provide disease surveillance, particularly bovine TB testing, as well as brucellosis investigations and anthrax inquiries.
The government said their work ensures that disease is detected at an earlier stage which will help reduce the spread of disease on farm and ultimately reduce the numbers of animals requiring to be removed from a herd or flock.
Pay increase
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “Official veterinarians do essential work and I am pleased to announce that from tomorrow all rates will be increased for OVs undertaking these statutory duties.
“These rates will be subject to a cumulative inflationary increase of 29.9% and will be maintained going forward by offering an increase of around 2% annually from April 1, 2025.
“Despite the challenging fiscal environment, we have earmarked up to £50,000 for the next year in recognition of the important role OVs play in keeping our farms and food chain safe.
“This funding will also support new and existing OVs to undertake the necessary training to gain essential skills in statutory surveillance and tuberculin testing.”
In order to undertake statutory surveillance work OVs need to hold an official control qualification (OCQ) from Improve International, the appointed training provider for all aspects of OV work.
There are currently 385 OVs in Scotland qualified for Statutory Surveillance and 351 holding the qualification for Tuberculin Testing.
