RCVS and BVA hold joint outreach session with parliamentarians

RCVS President Dr Melissa Donald MRCVS and British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Dr Malcolm Morley MRCVS held a day of outreach with Members of Parliament last week (Thursday 20 April) at Portcullis House, part of the estate of the Palace of Westminster, to talk to them about the need for new veterinary legislation.

The session was hosted by Dr Neil Hudson FRCVS, the Conservative MP for Penrith and the Border and the only veterinary surgeon sitting in the House of Commons, allowing the RCVS and BVA to inform MPs on the pressing veterinary and animal health issues of the day.

These issues included veterinary workforce shortages, the need to replace the outdated 1966, Veterinary Surgeons Act, and wider animal health and welfare issues. The event was well-attended by MPs from all the major political parties and included Steve Brine (Conservative, Winchester), Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat, Orkney and Shetland), Geoffrey Cox (Conservative, Torridge and West Devon), Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour, Slough), Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat, Westmorland and Lonsdale) and Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd).

Regarding the need for legislative reform, RCVS and BVA emphasised the fact that, in the almost 60 years since the 1966 act was passed, many changes have taken place in veterinary medicine and, despite several amendments, there was a need for new, modern and comprehensive legislation. Such legislation would ensure RCVS regulation encompasses the entire vet-led team, the protection of the veterinary nurse title and mandatory regulation of veterinary practices and not just individual members of the team. Such changes would boost animal health and welfare through enhanced accountability.

President of the RCVS Melissa Donald (pictured with Tim Farron), said: "As President of the RCVS I was delighted to host an event in Parliament this afternoon, jointly with my counterpart Malcolm Morley, President of the British Veterinary Association.  

“We had the opportunity to speak to a wide range of MPs to explain the significant problems caused by the current shortage of veterinary surgeons, and the need for government support to remedy the shortage, for example, by providing additional funding to boost the number of UK graduates.  

“We also stressed the need for new, modernised legislation that will allow vets to make better use of the vet-led team to replace the very outdated Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 which currently provides the legislative framework for the professions.” 

Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said: “As the only vet in the Commons it is an immense privilege to shine a light on the veterinary sector and the pressing animal health and welfare issues of the day”.  

“I fully support the RCVS and BVA’s calls to address veterinary workforce shortage issues and to overhaul the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Much has changed in the 60 years since it was passed, and we need modern laws that reflect this. 

“I thank all the parliamentarians from across the political spectrum who kindly took time out of their busy schedules to meet with veterinary experts and discuss such pressing issues.” 

President of the BVA, Malcom Morley, said: "It was great to be at the joint event. Thanks to Neil Hudson for hosting. Our profession requires legislative reform to effectively work with an Act that is no longer fit for purpose."