Ethics and Welfare Group

In this section you can find out more about the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Ethics and Welfare Group (EWG)

The EWG is a standing committee of BVA Council which considers ethical issues arising from the interaction of animals with human society.

We provide a forum where difficult issues can be questioned and challenged, and play an integral role in developing BVA policy in any area relating to animal health and welfare.

The EWG is not concerned with professional ethics; this is the role of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

Current issues

EWG is currently working on

  • Prioritisation of welfare of policy issues
  • Pedigree dog welfare
  • BVA policy on equine and production animal mutilation

Minutes and meetings

EWG members

Independent members

Designated members BVA Officers
Dr Madeleine Campbell Sean Wensley (BVA AWF representative) President
David Martin Colin Gilbert (LAVA representative) Past-President
Dr David Williams Charles Gruchy (RCVS representative) President-Elect
Dr James Kirkwood Dr John Rawlings  
Pip Boydell Dr Dorothy McKeegan  

Dr James Yeates

Jo Turnbull  
  Gwyn Jones  

We elect new members annually and they usually serve a three year term.

If you would like to highlight an issue for EWG’s consideration please login in to the BVA community platform, where you can contact your BVA Council Regional Representative, the Officers and also Committee Chairs, or join in on discussions with other members. Alternatively, you can email the EWG Secretariat, Catherine Lawrence, on ethicsandwelfare@bva.co.uk

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