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Farm vets urge government action on labour shortages
“We need the Government to work with industry to tackle the immediate labour shortage facing the sector" - Elizabeth Berry, BCVA.
BCVA warns of “devastating” impact on public health and animal welfare.

The British Cattle Veterinary Association (BCVA) is urging the government to provide better support for the food and farming sector in light of significant labour shortages.

The Association is warning that, if nothing changes, there could be a “devastating” impact on public health and animal welfare.

British farmers have been hit hard in recent years by the falling number of EU registrants coming to work in the UK – a problem highlighted by the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee earlier this week.

In its report, EFRA maintains that the government has not adequately addressed the effects of the labour shortages, which “pose real risks of further price rises for consumers in supermarkets, reduced UK competitiveness and increased amounts of imported food.”

Figures published by the RCVS show the annual number of registrants coming to work in the UK decreased by 68 per cent from 1132 in 2019 to just 364 in 2021. Meanwhile, according to data from the APHA, applications for food-related export health certificates rocketed by 1,255 per cent. 

BCVA president Dr Elizabeth Berry said the Association is feeling the effects of this both in practice and on clients' farms.

“Our need for farm staff, abattoir workers, vet techs, and vets is increasing – yet our resources are depreciating,” she said. “Farm vets and farmers have worked hard to maintain welfare standards during the massive challenges around Covid. 

"We are now committed to meeting the needs of a global food crisis, as well as dealing with the consequences of new export and import requirements – this all requires an appropriately qualified and experienced workforce.”

Dr Berry said that the BCVA welcomed EFRA's call on the government to review their position and urged the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, David Neal, to carry out his pledge to inspect the impact of the current immigration system on the agricultural sector.

“We need the Government to work with industry to tackle the immediate labour shortage facing the sector and to develop a long-term labour strategy that produces enough qualified UK workers to reduce dependence on overseas labour,” she continued. 

“Our current situation threatens food security, animal welfare, and the mental health of those working in this sector.” 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.