The British Veterinary Association (BVA) this week called on the UK Government to ensure existing animal health and welfare, public health, veterinary medicines, workforce, and environmental protection standards are at least maintained as the UK exits from the European Union.
 
In a ‘Brexit paper’, approved by BVA Council on 22 September, the veterinary association also urged the Government to seek opportunities to improve standards and support evidence-based risk analysis of animal health, welfare and ethics.
 
BVA’s Brexit Working Group, chaired by former UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Alick Simmons, has outlined principles under a number of areas of interest to the veterinary profession, including:

• veterinary workforce issues
• animal health
• animal welfare
• food hygiene and safety
• veterinary medicines
• research and development

 
In terms of animal welfare, BVA emphasises that the unique selling point of “UK plc” post-Brexit should be high animal welfare and food safety standards.  On workforce issues, BVA is reiterating calls for working rights for non-British EU veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses (VNs) currently working and studying in the UK, and British vets and VNs working in the EU, to be maintained.
 
On Tuesday, newly appointed BVA President Gudrun Ravetz said, “From the outset, one of BVA’s key priorities has been seeking reassurance for the many EU vets and vet nurses who are making an invaluable contribution in the UK across many areas of animal health and welfare, and particularly in the area of public health. We are maintaining that strong focus on our colleagues as well as highlighting other areas that may be affected by Brexit.
 
“We will ensure the voice of the veterinary profession is heard during any negotiations and discussions, to secure the best possible outcomes for our profession and for animal health and welfare in the UK.”
 
BVA is also urging that any public money to replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be used to support and incentivise public goods, encompassing at least animal health and welfare, disease surveillance, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
 
The BVA policy document can be read in full here.