BVA urges reform of Veterinary Surgeons Act
Dr Judson called for the mandatory regulation of practices.
The president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) urged politicians to update the legislation which regulates veterinary practices during a speech in Westminster.
Speaking at the BVA’s annual London dinner on Wednesday, 28 February, attended by veterinary professionals, MPs, and peers, BVA president Anna Judson called for the updating of legislation originally introduced in 1966.
Dr Judson said: “Working closely with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, we’re calling for modernisation and reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, including the mandatory regulation of veterinary practices.
“It is inappropriate that only individual vets and veterinary nurses can be held accountable for business decisions which can directly impact on animal health and welfare.”
She also called for the title of ‘veterinary nurse’ to be protected in law as part of the reforms.
Elsewhere in her speech, Dr Judson spoke about the three-fold rise in dog bite incidents since the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. She urged politicians to replace the breed specific legislation with a focus on responsible dog ownership and training.
She also urged the government to find a long-term solution to the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland and welcomed the animal welfare bills currently before Parliament dealing with issues that had been part of the dropped Kept Animals Bill.
Politicians from across the political spectrum attended the dinner, including Steve Barclay, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs.
Image © BVA
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
