NIPSA has warned Stormont’s Agriculture Committee that failures in DAERA’s Veterinary Service have triggered a workforce crisis now affecting key public protections.
In evidence to the Committee on 11 June, union officials said the dispute was “entirely avoidable”, accusing management of years of inaction and poor governance. They said two groups of vets were allowed to carry out identical work on different pay scales, despite clear internal policy requiring early review.
NIPSA said DAERA ignored repeated warnings from 2019 and failed to carry out a mandatory grading review within required timelines, allowing a known equal pay risk to persist.
A long-delayed grading review in 2024 confirmed both roles should be paid the same. While some staff were upgraded last year, NIPSA said DAERA has refused to address years of lost earnings, pension impacts and ongoing financial disadvantage.
After “years of being ignored”, members backed industrial action with near-unanimous support. Action is now impacting TB control, export certification and wider veterinary services.
NIPSA said responsibility for disruption “lies squarely with DAERA”, warning the dispute reflects wider problems with recruitment, retention and morale. The union said failures have already driven experienced staff out of the service, increased reliance on agency workers and left confidence in senior management “at rock bottom”.
The union has called on MLAs to hold DAERA accountable for policy failures and delays, but said it remains open to talks.
“This crisis was avoidable,” said Assistant Secretary Alan Law. “Our members are now simply asking for fair treatment and accountability.”