Recommendation 2

The regulators are struggling to recruit and retain the skills they need to regulate effectively after EU Exit. Having left the EU, the regulators need additional staff to deliver their new and expanded responsibilities. CMA is competing with the private sector to recruit and retain competition lawyers and economists, while both FSA and HSE are struggling to recruit experienced toxicologists in sufficient numbers. A shortage of veterinarians to assure food safety and animal welfare in abattoirs is also a key risk for FSA, which in autumn 2021 had to put temporary measures in place to ensure it had enough veterinarians to deliver this critical role. The regulators are taking action to try to address these shortages, for example, investing in staff training in HSE, and reviewing the pay and conditions of veterinarians at FSA to make the career more attractive. However, the ability to recruit and retain the skilled staff they need remains a key risk to the future effectiveness of all three regulators. Recommendation: The regulators should work together to identify common skills shortages, and develop long-term strategies for recruiting, retaining, and training staff to ensure they have the skills they need in the future. Recommendation: The FSA should work with the Department for Education and relevant professional bodies to address the shortage in qualified veterinarians.