BVA offers a vet’s-eye view to parliamentarians

The ‘Through the eyes of vets’ exhibition, held in the House of Commons Upper Waiting Hall, aims to depict the vital and varied roles performed by veterinary surgeons today.

Taken by vets, the 22 photographs depict a range of subjects from across the UK and overseas including cattle during a TB testing day on the island of Arran, a surprising find during surgery, a look down the microscope at feline myofiber disarray and a practical session of bee veterinary medicine.

The exhibition showcases just some of the 1,000 entries submitted by BVA members to BVA's 2016 photo competition and BVA's 2017 photo competition. 

At the start of the week Neil Parish MP, Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EfraCom) and BVA Honorary Member, hosted an opening ceremony attended by parliamentarians as well as many of the vets whose photographs feature in the exhibition.

Neil officially opened the exhibition, saying: “These photos show the diverse range of things that vets are involved in. What we respect from BVA is that we get good clear, evidence-based advice when we need it.”

BVA member and Director of Cambridge Veterinary Group Lucy Crosby, whose photograph of snake incubation was commended in the 2016 photo competition and is one of the photos exhibited, said: “The exhibition is a really exciting opportunity for vet to show that their skills extend beyond the operating room to the arts. I personally feel privileged to have my photo shown here. The veterinary profession and what we do is diverse amd it’s important to broadcast to the general public just how important the profession’s contribution is to the country.”

The exhibition offers parliamentarians an impactful presentation of the work BVA members perform across the UK and overseas, and is part of the Vet Futures Action Plan to promote public understanding of the value of veterinary care and services, and of the wide range of veterinary careers.

British Veterinary Association President John Fishwick said: “It’s an honour to have the opportunity to exhibit our members’ photographs in the Palace of Westminster.

"Vets work in practices across the UK, in government policy, public health and food safety, industry and technology, the armed forces, and beyond. As a profession, we play a significant role in many areas of personal and political life; an issue that EU exit has brought into sharp relief.

"With the political landscape shifting so rapidly, it’s apt that we’re showcasing vets’ work to parliamentarians to make sure it’s at the forefront of their minds as they return for the New Year.”

The exhibition will be open daily from Monday 8 to Thursday 11 January in the Upper Waiting Room of the House of Commons, an area open to Members of Parliament, Peers and visiting members of the public.

To view the photographs exhibited, and many others from BVA’s photo competitions, please visit BVA’s Flickr account.