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Our lobbying activity
To ensure the veterinary voice is heard around the UK, we provide briefings and information to parliamentarians and ministers in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We work closely with our honorary associate member MPs, Peers, MSPs, MSs and MLAs. We also work with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) to lobby the European Commission and Parliament.
We launched manifestos for the Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliamentary election and
Scottish Parliamentary election in May 2021, for the Northern Ireland Assembly election in May 2022, and for all political parties in UK/Westminster in December 2023.
To read our manifestos select the relevant section below.
UK / Westminster
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
UK / Westminster
UK General Election
We welcomed the Labour Party's commitment to prioritise the highest standards of animal welfare in international trade deals, negotiate a veterinary agreement with the EU to reduce border checks, and promote greater environmental sustainability.
We are working to ensure the Government acts on these pledges, through meetings, letters and parliamentary events. We’ve also highlighted that, in order to ensure the UK has a modern veterinary profession able to support these ambitions, the new government must prioritise urgent reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, which is not fit for purpose.
Recent successes
Under the previous Government, we proud to support several key pieces of legislation for animal welfare:
- Primates as pets: we had long called for action to be taken to protect primates being kept as pets in the UK and welcomed the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2023 being signed into law in 2023.
- Livestock exports: we briefed Lords and peers as the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill progressed into law. We welcomed the ban on live exports and are now calling for a wider review of standards for welfare during transport.
- Pet abduction: we supported this bill which recognises the potential impact pet theft has on owners and animal welfare.
Lobbying for Animal Welfare legislation
We’re actively supporting the following pieces of legislation:
- Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill: we’re working with Vet and MP Danny Chambers to progress this important bill which could help end puppy smuggling, ban imports of animals with mutilations, and help prevent disease such as Brucella canis from being imported. Help us make this happen — download our template letter and urge your MP to support the Bill.
- Fireworks Bill: BVA has long advocated for tighter controls on the use and sale of fireworks to protect the health and welfare of animals in the UK. We’re part of the Fireworks Coalition organised by Dog’s Trust, working to inform the drafting of the Bill and support its progress.
We were disappointed that proposed bills on the Electric shock collars and Protection of Livestock did not pass into law before the General Election, and will continue to call for progress on these issues.
Raising concerns over the XL Bully ban
With the XL Bully ban being implemented across the UK, BVA has been engaging regularly with Defra, the Scottish Government, and DAERA, both as a member of the Dangerous Dogs Coalition and separately, to provide a veterinary perspective. Through our campaigning, we have continually aimed to mitigate impacts on vets and veterinary practices and have been successful in advocating for improvements in the language used within neutering confirmation forms and establishing that vets are not responsible for typing dogs.
In recognition that Breed Specific Legislation does not work to decrease the number of people bitten or attacked by dogs, we also continue to lobby for significant reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to produce breed neutral legislation that focuses on responsible breeding and ownership, early intervention and better enforcement.
Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act central to Westminster briefing
BVA hosted a briefing for MPs and Peers on 6 March 2024. The event was hosted by the only vet in the House of Commons, Dr Neil Hudson MP. It was attended by 28 cross-party MPs and Peers, including the Defra Secretary of State and members of the Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs team. BVA President Dr Anna Judson urged for cross-party collaboration to urgently support reform of the outdated 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act, and highlighted key issues such as dangerous dogs, Brucella canis, and the public health implications of veterinary medicine supply issues. The event was very well received and we were pleased to hear many comments supporting our work.
BVA President urges politicians to reform veterinary regulation to ensure animal welfare
BVA welcomed the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Barclay, MPs, Peers and stakeholders to the annual London Dinner held in Westminster on 28 February 2024. Speaking to guests, BVA Senior Vice President Anna Judson urged for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and the overhaul of the Dangerous Dogs Act. She also advocated for the need to tackle issues left unresolved by the abandonment of the Kept Animals Bill and the importance of securing permanent access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.
Scotland
Our manifesto for Scotland 2021-2026
We have launched our manifesto for Scotland calling on candidates for the Scottish Parliament to sign up to 12 key pledges. The manifesto calls for measures to enhance animal health and welfare, support the veterinary profession, and protect public health.
Spread the word and write to your PPCs about these important issues using our template letter.
We’ve analysed the main Scottish political parties’ manifestos to explore what they say about animal health and welfare and identify where their manifesto pledges mirror ours, either fully or partially.
Positive steps on firework controls
The introduction of Firework Control Zones across Edinburgh is a positive step towards safeguarding the health and welfare of both people and animals. Whilst we hope to see similar zones replicated across Scotland and the rest of the UK, these current controls don’t go far enough. BVA is working alongside charities to lobby the Scottish Government to close the loopholes that still allow public displays to continue in the designated zones in Edinburgh and to introduce licensing requirements for these displays and organised events, as they continue to pose serious risk to animals.
The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act
The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act became law on 30 July 2024. We were pleased to see animal health and welfare as a key objective on the face of the Bill. We are now calling for vets to be included in the creation of rural support plans, and Scottish Branch will continue to engage with Scottish Government as secondary legislation is developed.
Scottish Branch meeting with Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity
BVA Scottish Branch officers met with Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity in May 2024 to discuss key issues for the veterinary profession and identify how BVA can feed into discussions. Topics included the Agriculture Bill, farrowing crates, cages for laying hens and areas of collaboration between Scottish Government and BVA. We hope to meet with the Minister again later this year.
Celebrating the work of veterinary teams across Scotland at annual Scottish dinner
BVA welcomed MSPs and stakeholders, including Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, to the annual Scottish dinner, hosted by BVA honorary associate Edward Mountain MSP, at the Scottish Parliament on 8 May 2024. BVA President (now Senior Vice President) Anna Judson highlighted how vets in Scotland have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges to the profession. She also called for important legislative reforms for animal welfare and for futureproofing the veterinary professions.
BVA Scottish Branch
BVA Scottish Branch exists to represent members in Scotland. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Scotland.
Wales
Our manifesto for Wales 2021-2026
We have launched our manifesto for Wales calling on candidates to sign up to 12 key pledges. The manifesto calls for measures to enhance animal health and welfare, support the veterinary profession, and protect public health.
Read the manifesto for Wales in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Spread the word and write to your PPCs about these important issues using our template letter.
We’ve analysed the main Welsh political parties’ manifestos to explore what they say about animal health and welfare and identify where their manifesto pledges mirror ours, either fully or partially.
Focus on reform of veterinary legislation at annual Welsh dinner
BVA welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, as guest of honour for the annual Welsh dinner in Cardiff on 26 June 2024, as well as around 80 guests, including several other Members of the Senedd, senior representatives from animal health and welfare organisations, and veterinary professionals. BVA President Anna Judson used her speech to call on the Welsh Government to support urgent reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA) and prioritise the delivery of key animal welfare legislation. Anna also welcomed positive animal welfare progress in Wales, including the Animal Licensing Project, the Senedd’s recent approval for mandatory CCTV requirements in slaughterhouses, and incoming legislation for a compulsory Bovine Viral Diarrhoea eradication scheme in Wales.
Welsh Branch meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
BVA and Welsh Branch officers met the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies in June 2024 to discuss the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), endemic disease and funding for animal welfare initiatives. The Cabinet Secretary, who is proud to be a BVA Honorary Associate, is keen to work with BVA on many key issues, and was pleased that Welsh Branch President Gwen Rees was representing BVA on his SFS roundtable. He recognised that the veterinary profession had a key role to play in supporting farmers through the transition.
Championing animal health and welfare in sustainable farming
After the Agriculture Act (Wales) came into force in 2023, BVA Welsh Branch has continued to work with Welsh Government and other stakeholders to shape the Sustainable Farming Scheme so that it supports animal health and welfare, and is accessible to all farmers. Welsh Branch President Gwen Rees represents BVA on the roundtable set up by the new Cabinet Secretary, which is seeking to address the concerns of the farming community about the scheme. We have also spoken to the CVO, the Cabinet Secretary, the Shadow Rural Affairs Spokesman and the Farming Unions to raise our concerns with the scheme as currently proposed. We would like to see animal health and welfare centred in the scheme as an integral part of sustainable agriculture. We would also like to see more flexibility in the universal actions, to ensure that as many farmers as possible are able to participate.
BVA Welsh Branch
BVA Welsh Branch exists to represent members in Wales. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Wales.
Northern Ireland
Access to Veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland
BVA is urging the government to establish a permanent solution with the European Union to ensure the continued supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland.
While the grace period for veterinary medicines has been extended to December 2025, BVA continues to advocate for a permanent solution to regulations for veterinary medicines that avoids divergence between markets and guarantees minimal impact on supply for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland dinner
On 18 October 2023, BVA welcomed the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs Katrina Godfrey, MLAs and stakeholders to the annual Northern Ireland Dinner in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. Hosted by MLA Tom Elliott, the event provided vets, political leaders, industry experts and opinion formers an excellent opportunity to network and engage on the key issues affecting Northern Ireland concerning the veterinary profession, animal health and welfare, and food safety. In her address, BVA President Anna Judson acknowledged the challenges facing vets in Northern Ireland, including the impact of the Northern Ireland Protocol and its implications for long-term access to veterinary medicines.
Our manifesto for Northern Ireland 2022
Ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on 5 May 2022, we launched a manifesto calling on all parties to sign up to key pledges to enhance animal health and welfare, support the veterinary profession, and protect public health in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Branch attend House of Lords for veterinary medicines inquiry
As part of their work advocating for a permanent solution to the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland, BVA Northern Ireland Branch President Esther Skelly-Smith and BVA NI Branch Past President and Honorary Secretary Mark Little were invited to give evidence to the House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Windsor Framework’s inquiry into veterinary medicines, held on 17 January 2024.
Warning that Northern Ireland faces a ‘public health emergency’ unless permanent access to veterinary medicines is secured, Esther and Mark outlined the implications should the current grace period end without a permanent, workable solution.
The full committee session is available online, with BVA’s evidence from 16:24.
BVA Northern Ireland Branch
If you are a BVA member living in Northern Ireland, you will automatically be a member of BVA Northern Ireland Branch.
BVA manifesto for animals, vets, and public health
We've launched our manifesto calling on government to sign up to key pledges to enhance animal health and welfare, support the veterinary profession, and protect public health.
Engaging with your MPYou can help us advance our policy priorities by contacting or meeting your local MP to let them know why these issues are important to you. We've developed a useful resource to help guide you with the process. |