Vets call for legislative reform in election manifestos
The BVA and BVNA want the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to feature in manifestos.
Veterinary groups are calling for a reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 to feature in party manifestos, ahead of the oncoming General Election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced this week that he was calling a General Election, taking place on 4 July. Political parties have since begun their campaigns.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) have each expressed hopes that the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 will feature in the manifestos of political parties.
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 relates to the management of the veterinary profession, as well as enforcing the registration of veterinary surgeons and practitioners. It regulates the education and conduct of registered veterinary surgeons, and holds the power to cancel or suspend registrations.
However BVA president Anna Judson has continued to campaign for a reform of this legislation, stating the current Act is ‘not fit for purpose’ and ‘lacks accountability’.
Dr Judson has called it ‘inappropriate’ that only individual veterinary surgeons and nurses were being held responsible, where business decisions may be directly impacting animal health and welfare. She believes that new legislation should recognise the wider veterinary team, as well as protecting the title of ‘veterinary nurse’.
The BVNA shares the BVA’s desire for a reformed Veterinary Surgeons Act, which it says is ‘long-overdue’.
The association says there is an ‘urgent need’ for accountability of veterinary practices, which it believes many voters will be unaware is unregulated. It is calling for the proposed reform, including statutory protection of the veterinary nurse title, to feature in all manifestos.
BVNA president Lyndsay Hughes said: “Veterinary nurses play a pivotal role in upholding welfare standards for animals of all species. However, currently, anybody can call themselves a ‘veterinary nurse’, regardless of training.
“Our recent survey of the public found that most were unaware this title is currently unprotected, yet stressed the importance of having properly qualified and regulated individuals caring for their pets. Protecting our title in law would improve both transparency and trust amongst the public.”
Alongside these reforms, the BVA’s manifesto has made further suggestions for animal welfare legislations.
The BVA has made a case for overhauling the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, which was recently used to ban XL bully type dogs. The announcement of the XL bully ban was supported by both the Conservative and the Labour party.
It also stresses the need to tackle issues left unresolved by the abandoned Kept Animals Bill, as well as pushing for secured access to veterinary medicines for Northern Ireland.
Dr Judson said: “This is a great opportunity to push for action on behalf of our members on a number of key animal welfare issues and to urge all parties to adopt sound, evidence-based policies in their manifestos.
“We’re looking forward to engaging with them during the campaign and we’re also calling on all candidates to talk to vets in their local communities to better understand the veterinary workforce and welfare issues in our profession.”
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
