States Vet (3) (FOI)

Request

A

In a previous Freedom of Information response, published on 3 February 2023 it asked “Who is the current States Vet?" In the response it stated the current States Vet is Susana Ramos who commenced her role on 1 February 2022.  Please advise who was the States Vet at the time of the previous request?

B

When did the previous States Vet commence work? When did his employment end? Alistair Breed.

C

In the previous response it asked does the current States Vet live in Jersey? And if not who pays her travel expenses? Please answer this question.

D

Why did Dr Terburgh state on two separate occasions when pressed that she was on island during the period 20 to 24 June 2022? The response states she was off Island? 

E

Exactly what formal training does the Deputy Chief veterinary Officer have? 

F

What is the difference between the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer and the Assistant to the States Vet? Who carried out these roles in 2022 and 2023?

G

How many days during 2021 and 2022 were animals slaughtered?

H

What formal training does the Assistant to the States vet have?

I

How many Officers are authorised to carry out investigations regarding animal welfare concerns? What training is required to carry out these investigations?

J

Are fully qualified vets always on site at slaughter?

Response

A

Brian Smith was the appointed States Veterinary Officer (SVO) on 29 December 2022 however he was not based in Jersey.  This role is also referred to as the Chief Veterinary Officer.

It should be noted that the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (DCVO) was on island and the States Vet was supporting them remotely.

B

Brian Smith was appointed as SVO in May 2019, and continued again after Alistair Breed left in June 2022 and when Alistair was on leave.

Alistair Breed was the SVO from July 2020 to June 2022.

C

Please see the response to question A.

The Government of Jersey would have covered the SVO’s travel expenses if they were required to attend an emergency.

D

The DCVO was on island between 20 to 24 June 2022.

The previous response was in relation to the SVO who left the island on 22 June 2022.

E

The information requested regarding the DCVO’s training is partly exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the information is accessible on www.gov.je  within the previous FoI response linked below.

Question M:

States Vet (2) (FOI)

Further information in relation to the DCVO is exempt under Article 25 (Personal Information) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

F

The DCVO requires a Degree (level 6) in Veterinary Medicine and science and full membership of / eligibility for full membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons).

The States Veterinary Assistant role requires an honours degree level in Animal husbandry or equivalent and must possess a minimum of five years’ experience in an agricultural/animal based environment.

It should be noted that the DCVO needs to be registered to practice in Jersey under the Veterinary Surgeons (Jersey) Law 1999.

Information regarding who carried out these roles for the requested period is exempt under Article 25 (Personal Information) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

G

The abattoir was in operation for the days shown below:

• 46 days in 2021
• 45 days in 2022

H

The information you have requested regarding the Assistant to the States Vet is partly exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the information is accessible on www.gov.je  within Question I in the previous FoI response linked in question 5.

Further information in relation to the Assistant to the States Vet is exempt under Article 25 (Personal Information) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

I

There are currently six officers who are authorised to carry out investigations regarding animal welfare concerns.

A veterinary qualification is not a requirement for these roles.  

Continued professional development training is undertaken by the officers to ensure they are up-to-date with current regulations and procedures.

Further information in relation to the officers’ training is exempt under Article 25 (Personal Information) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

J

The information requested is exempt under Article 23 of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 as the information is accessible on www.gov.je  within question D of the previous FoI response linked below:

States Vet (FOI)

Articles applied

Article 23 - Information accessible to applicant by other means

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it is reasonably available to the applicant, otherwise than under this Law, whether or not free of charge.

(2) A scheduled public authority that refuses an application for information on this ground must make reasonable efforts to inform the applicant where the applicant may obtain the information.

Article 25 - Personal information

(1) Information is absolutely exempt information if it constitutes personal data of which the applicant is the data subject as defined in the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005.

(2) Information is absolutely exempt information if –

(a) it constitutes personal data of which the applicant is not the data subject as defined in the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005; and

(b) its supply to a member of the public would contravene any of the data protection principles, as defined in that Law.