Not enough is being done to tackle the high level of vet vacancies within APHA, which limits its ability to respond to an outbreak. APHA struggles to recruit and retain sufficient vets. APHA’s vet vacancy rate fluctuates– it was 20% in April 2025, but it had fallen to 15% in September 2025. The reasons for difficulties recruiting and retaining government vets are not unique to APHA, or the UK. Major factors include: mental health issues relating to activities such as culling animals; pay and conditions; and 2 working hours. APHA has introduced several strategies to improve the situation such as specialist pay provisions and mental health support, but recognises it needs to do more to attract and retain vets. The Department is considering updating the Veterinary Surgeons Act to enable other professionals, such as trained veterinary nurses, to undertake work under vet supervision. recommendation APHA should in the next year produce a veterinary workforce strategy to address vet vacancies. This should set out its understanding of the underlying issues, and how it will make most effective use of tools/ solutions including: using other technical staff; learning from previous schemes; and how other countries are approaching this issue.