The Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate (DHI), working on behalf of the Food Standards Agency, has merged with the State Veterinary Service (SVS). The merger helps simplify the inspection regimes currently operating in the United Kingdom.

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The DHI function, protecting the nation's raw milk supply from the risk of contamination and ensuring a satisfactory standard of hygiene is maintained on farms, transfers to SVS, an executive agency of Defra on 1 October 2006. The DHI is currently part of the Rural Development Service (RDS).

The merger is one of the recommendations of the Hampton Review, published in March 2005, to simplify enforcement activity and reduce the number of enforcement bodies. It is the first in a series of mergers which begin to transform SVS into an enlarged animal health thematic agency.

SVS chief executive Glenys Stacey welcomed the merger with DHI:

“The merger is an exciting prospect for everyone at SVS and DHI. We expect to realise the benefits of the merger, with the sharing of data and knowledge across the new organisation and as synergies are identified.

”It will strengthen our capacity and widen our remit as well as making us a more customer-focussed, more effective delivery agent both day-to-day and in an emergency. In coming together, we aim to create a cohesive, customer-orientated and professional field force and to create an environment for our people which is stimulating and motivating.”

Bob Jeffries, head of DHI added:

”The Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate has made a significant contribution to the work of the RDS and the dairy industry. We see this as a positive move for us all. Staff are enthusiastic about the merger and look forward to opportunities of being able to work closer with our colleagues in SVS and other partner bodies with the formation of the wider animal health thematic agency.”

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