The University of Cambridge has confirmed that its vet school will remain open, after groups including the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and BVA (British Veterinary Association) called for it to be saved.

The NFU said the university's planned closure of the school was a major cause for concern for farmers across Norfolk and Suffolk, amid a national shortage of farm vets.

The union wrote to urge the university to reconsider, given the school’s "strategic role in veterinary education, research and safeguarding animal and human health". 

At a meeting last week, the board agreed the university would continue to admit students onto the course, but said there was a need for new leadership in the vet school to address the challenges it faced. 

The board acknowledged “the strength of feeling in the community around Cambridge continuing to offer veterinary education”.

NFU East regional policy manager Charles Hesketh (Image: NFU)

Charles Hesketh, the NFU's regional policy manager for the East of England, said: “We are very pleased to see that the University of Cambridge vet school will remain open. 

“There is already a national shortage of farm vets, so there were major concerns over the proposals to close this. 

“Animal health and welfare is always a top priority for farmers so this change in most welcome and something we engaged our members on as soon as we were made aware.

“The NFU wrote to the university over this issue, to highlight the impact this closure would have had, and we praise them for engaging with us, for listening and taking this decision. 

“It’s vital that we keep that pipeline of skilled, high quality, vets going in the region.  

“The University of Cambridge really is a leader in this sector so hopefully, now this decision has been made, this will continue to be the case for many years to come."

© Eastern Daily Press