State Veterinary Service

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The State Veterinary Service (SVS) was, from 1938 to 2007, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), a department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It was the government's delivery agent, responsible for animal health and welfare in England, Scotland and Wales.

The State Veterinary Department was set up in 1865 in response to an outbreak of rinderpest in London.{{cite journal|last1=Woods|first1=Abigail|title=A historical synopsis of farm animal disease and public policy in twentieth century Britain.|journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B|date=12 July 2011|volume=366|issue=1573|pages=1943–54|doi=10.1098/rstb.2010.0388|pmid=21624915|pmc=3130385}} The State Veterinary Service was established in 1938, and was overseen by the Chief Veterinary Officer.{{cite journal|last1=Enticott|first1=G|last2=Donaldson|first2=A|last3=Lowe|first3=P|last4=Power|first4=M|last5=Proctor|first5=A|last6=Wilkinson|first6=K|title=The changing role of veterinary expertise in the food chain.|journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B|date=12 July 2011|volume=366|issue=1573|pages=1955–65|doi=10.1098/rstb.2010.0408|pmid=21624916|pmc=3130392}} On 1 April 2007 State Veterinary Service joined with Egg Marketing Inspectorate, Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate and Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service to create a new enlarged agency called Animal Health.{{cite news|title=State Veterinary Service to become Animal Health|url=https://www.vetclick.com/news/state-veterinary-service-to-become-animal-health-p295.php|accessdate=2018-01-09|work=www.vetclick.com|date=27 March 2007}}