Fórsa representatives are continuing to engage with the agriculture department on the proposed transfer of local authority veterinary staff to the civil service. The union is involved in a series of meetings as part of a working group to address staff concerns.

The meetings include the union’s veterinary inspector representatives, agriculture department officials, and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents council employers.

The LGMA expressed its intention to write to all local authorities to seek information on the individual veterinary inspectors’ terms and conditions of employment.

Fórsa previously received LGMA plans on the proposal, but the union said any transfer could have implications for members’ employment conditions and requires attention to detail on how such a transfer can be facilitated.

The union’s outgoing head of local government, Dessie Robinson, told the vets that the union would remain vigilant at all times to ensure that any new arrangements agreed did not erode conditions of employment.

Local authority vets provide food safety controls, including inspection of all animals before and after slaughter, at around 600 food businesses that supply meats to retailers and establishments including nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and canteens.

They also support small-scale and artisan businesses, which contribute to local economies and underpin employment in farming and the agri-food sector. As well as regulating the sector, the vet service supports mentoring, support and training in the sector.