Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets set out vision for post-Brexit trade
"We want to see the UK and EU working together closely to grasp the opportunities ahead" - Justine Shotton, BVA president.
BVA outlines recommendations for international trade in live animals.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has set out its vision for making international trade in live animals and animal products run as efficiently as possible.

In a new position statement, BVA outlines several recommendations for decision-makers in the UK and EU for simplifying processes and making assurance systems more efficient. Among these include:

  • making better use of veterinary workforce capacity
  • exploring support roles for allied professionals working alongside vets, and
  • fast-tracking the digitisation of certification processes.
     
The position follows years of engagement with the profession, farmers, governments and the food industry on these issues following BVA’s 2017 Brexit and the Veterinary Profession report.

BVA has previously warned over the soaring demand for export health certificates post-Brexit, current shortfalls in capacity, and how this could cause significant problems for the profession.

To ease the burden on the workforce, BVA is calling on the government to work with stakeholders on a plan to ensure that the UK has the required veterinary capacity and that it can facilitate international trade and other essential tasks.

The organisation is also calling on the government to explore opportunities for making better use of allied professionals, including certification support officers, for supporting the work under the direction of veterinary teams.

It recommends steps to simplify the process of veterinary certification and a need for vets and businesses receive clear guidance on transitioning to digital processes.

The position also highlights a need for a strong collaboration between the UK and the EU and for the government to engage with vets, farmers and processors to pinpoint opportunities to simplify trade requirements.

Finally, the position highlights a requirenment for Great Britain to set its own imports regime that meets its own biosecurity needs, adding that delaying or cancelling the introduction of import checks could “wreak havoc” for disease prevention. 

BVA president Justine Shotton, said: “In launching our position today, we’re bringing together the collective wisdom of many people working within and alongside the veterinary profession to keep trade running smoothly and to high health, welfare and safety standards. We want to see the UK and EU working together closely to grasp the opportunities ahead, as well as acknowledging and ironing out some of the considerable issues we face in terms of capacity and making the most of existing resources.

“The UK government is making some welcome steps in the right direction to maximise resources and make systems more efficient, including introducing a certification support officer role and putting digitisation high on the agenda. Going forward into what is new and uncharted territory, it’s vital that they continue to engage closely with vets, who are so central to the process and our future success on the global stage.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.