Glancing through the jobs section of the Sunday Times today I noticed one for Chief Veterinary Officer at DEFRA; salary c£135k.
Now that Debbie Reynolds has returned to making musical comedy films (I assume) after four years in the job during which time she had to deal with a series of disease disasters, our political masters have clearly judged the time right to replace her. I had wondered if the decision had been made to appoint Debbie's deputy who has been acting Chief Vet for some time. But this ad suggests not.
The wording of the job description is rather interesting. The successful applicant will, for instance, "have a key voice in changing the relationship between Government and animal keepers so as to engender greater responsibility for animal health and welfare standards across the country". In other words he or she will be charged with removing full compensation for animals compulsorily slaughtered leaving the victims to pick up at least part of the bill.
Significantly, the ad says nothing about strengthening import controls to keep notifyable diseases out of Britain. All it says is "you will contribute to the development of national and international policies...on animal health and welfare matters".
The job will, however, involve dealing with Foot & Mouth Disease, bovine tuberculosis and "the appearance of new diseases". Do they know something we don't?
It will also, according to the ad, be "at the cutting edge of science and of major political concern. So be in no doubt, this is a tough, high-profile role" requiring "credibilty, gravitas, passion and resilience".
And the words farmer or farming are not used once.
For further details visit www.chiefvet.co.uk