Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank the hon. Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue for putting this question. The Ministry has taken cognisance of concerns regarding the fees charged by some private veterinary practitioners. Now, it should be noted that private vet services are provided on a commercial basis, and of course, I hope that they do not forego their professional ethics. Fees are currently determined independently by individual vet practitioners, taking into account the nature and complexity of the services rendered. The Ministry acknowledges that there are instances where members of the public consider the fees charged to be excessive. However, it should be equally recognised that there is presently no statutory fee schedule or legislative provision empowering the Ministry or the Veterinary Council of Mauritius to regulate or prescribe fees for vet services offered by private practitioners. Now, vet fees are determined, therefore, within the framework of private contractual arrangements between the practitioner and the client. In this respect, I wish to inform the House that a committee is being set up to work on amendments to be brought to the Veterinary Council Act of 2020 governing the veterinary profession. These amendments are intended to modernise the existing legislative framework and strengthen the regulation of the profession. Among the key issues under consideration are provisions relating to the registration of foreign veterinary practitioners who satisfy the prescribed professional standards and eligibility requirements. This initiative is expected to enhance the availability of veterinary professionals, strengthen service delivery, promote healthy competition within the sector, and ultimately improve access to veterinary services for the public. This should have a positive impact on the price being charged by private practitioners. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the hon. Member’s question regarding an assessment of veterinary fees and regulation thereof, no formal exercise is being undertaken to establish or regulate a scale of fees for private veterinary services. Nevertheless, the matter remains under consideration in the context of the broader review of the legislative and regulatory framework governing the veterinary profession.

Yes?

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. L'honorable Ministre peut-il dire à la Chambre le nombre de vétérinaires opérant dans le public et le privé qui sont toujours en service, de même que le nombre de cliniques vétérinaires et sont-ils soumis à un code de déontologie ou un code d’éthique ? Merci.

I do not have the information, but I certainly can gather the information and circulate accordingly but in relation to officers working in public services, there are 11 when there should have been 30. In fact, there is a shortage of veterinary services. Now, as to the number of vet clinics, as far as I know, there are five, officially.

Yes, hon. Dr. Aumeer.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. May I ask the hon. Minister whether, he could use his good office to arrange a meeting between private veterinary services and the Veterinary Council, since there have been ongoing conflicting issues arising between them, which are not conducive for the welfare of the animals. Thank you.

You know, there is pride and greed, but in the light of the suggestion made by my hon. good friend, Dr. Aumeer, we will certainly entertain the proposal made.

The Hon. First Member for Vacoas and Floréal! WATER SECURITY – DESALINATION PROJECTS – PRIORITISATION