FAQs for journalists

Find answers to the most common enquiries to the press office of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) in this section

The BVA

What is the BVA view on....?

The BVA view on many issues such as animal diseases and dangerous dogs is outlined in our BVA activity and advice section.

See also our weekly BVA view which focuses on a specific issue currently affecting the profession. It is published as editorial comment in our journal The Veterinary Record.

What is the difference between BVA and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)?

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the national representative body for the veterinary profession with over 12,000 members. The BVA represents the veterinary profession and helps members fulfil their professional roles.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the statutory body set up to administer the Veterinary Surgeons Act and is responsible for the registration, education and discipline of the profession. A person must be a member of the RCVS before they can practise veterinary surgery and medicine in the UK.

What is the relationship between the BVA and the Animal Welfare Foundation?

BVA AWF is the BVA’s animal welfare charity.  It aims to improve the welfare of all animals through veterinary science, education and debate.

The veterinary profession

Who regulates veterinary surgeons in the UK?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the statutory body set up to administer the Veterinary Surgeons Act and is responsible for the registration, education and discipline of the profession. A person must be a member of the RCVS before they can practise veterinary surgery and medicine in the UK.

What about numbers and distribution of the veterinary profession?

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has statutory and registering responsibility.

Various statistics are provided in the RCVS annual report including

  • how many veterinary surgeons are in general practice, government, university and research institutions etc
  • student numbers
  • profile of the profession

Pets

Do you provide statistics on the UK pet population and the pet food market?

No, we refer enquiries on this subject to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA).

PFMA provides UK statistics on pet populations and the pet food market