Veterinary staff at the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs have escalated industrial action in a long-running dispute over pay and grading.

More than 30 vets, represented by the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, are involved. The union says the issue has remained unresolved for over a decade.

Formal notification of the dispute was given to DAERA on 20 March. The department made initial contact on 18 May, a delay criticised by NIPSA as showing a lack of urgency.

Industrial action began on 1 May, with members withdrawing from on-call duties, training activities, and supervision of on-farm TB testing. From 1 June, the action intensified to include full withdrawal from on-farm TB testing and a range of certification and technical duties.

The escalation is expected to delay testing of high-risk TB animals, disrupt meat export certification, and cause potential hold-ups for imported live animals and animal products at Northern Ireland ports.

The dispute comes amid wider veterinary staffing pressures within DAERA and an increasing reliance on agency provision. The union has welcomed an invitation to meet the Stormont AERA Committee.

NIPSA Assistant Secretary Alan Law stated that members have shown patience while DAERA failed to engage meaningfully. He described the situation as avoidable and said the union remains ready for immediate negotiations, but that willingness from the department has been absent. He placed responsibility for the disruption on DAERA management and said the priority is a fair and sustainable resolution while protecting the integrity of veterinary services in Northern Ireland.