To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making to maintain veterinary investigation service facilities for private veterinary surgeons and farmers in Cornwall.
One of the considerations which led to the decision to close the Truro centre was the low level of local demand by private veterinary surgeons for chargeable services. I have now concluded, however, that a VI service unit should be retained at Truro in order to continue to provide statutory and chargeable post-mortem facilities and statutory and chargeable advisory visits. It will be staffed by a veterinary investigation officer and supporting staff. The position will be reviewed in two years' time in the light of the demand, in the meantime, for the services.