BVA ‘encouraged’ by PM’s Brexit speech
Gudrun Ravetz particularly welcomed the PM’s comments regarding the rights of EU workers in the UK.
The BVA has welcomed the Prime Minister’s Brexit speech, which outlined the government’s negotiating priorities - including key issues for the veterinary profession.
Theresa May stated her commitment to ensuring the rights of EU workers who are already living in Britain, and those of British nationals in other EU member states. Maintaining the UK’s leading role in science and innovation, and keeping the Common Travel Area with the Republic of Ireland, were among her priorities.
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz said it was “encouraging” to see some of the BVA’s key priorities in May’s speech, but “it still leaves a lot of uncertainty”.
Mrs Ravetz particularly welcomed the PM’s comments regarding the rights of EU workers in the UK. “Each year around 50 per cent of veterinary surgeons registering to practise in the UK are from overseas, with the vast majority coming from the EU,” she said.
“Consequently, Brexit and accompanying changes to the mutual recognition system or immigration restrictions could have a profound impact upon the veterinary workforce.”
She praised the Prime Minister’s “recognition of the breadth and depth of our academic and scientific communities, our cutting-edge research and innovation”. BVA will continue to call for a regulatory and legislative framework, to preserve the UK as an attractive place for research and development.
Commenting on the Common Travel Area, Mrs Ravetz added: “Knowing the express concern of colleagues in Northern Ireland, which shares a border with the EU via the Republic of Ireland, we were reassured by the UK government’s recognition of this as an important priority - backed up by Mrs May’s commitment to work with the devolved nations and secure the Common Travel Area as soon as she can”.
Mrs May also promised “to provide certainty wherever we can”, which BVA hopes will offer reassurance to EU and UK veterinary professionals “who have had anything but certainty since the result of the UK referendum”.
BVA added that it will continue to lobby the government on this issue until it is resolved.
The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.
