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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.
To read our latest updates for each country, select the relevant section below.
UK / Westminster
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
UK / Westminster
Supporting Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
We’ve long called for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, making it a priority in our manifesto for animals, vets and public health, and using every opportunity to highlight its importance to decision makers. Last year we were pleased to be part of a core working group formed by Defra, alongside RCVS, BVNA and Veterinary Schools Council, tasked with developing the detail of draft recommendations for Ministers.
In January Defra published the consultation on reform of the VSA 1966. We issued a press release calling on the profession to support the case for reform, as well as publishing a series of FAQs and delivering a webinar series, available on our dedicated webpage.
We responded to the consultation with help from our Legislative Reform Working Group, and with oversight from Policy Committee and Council sign-off. Read the response in full. A summary of our response can be read here.
We’re now waiting for the government’s response. In the meantime, we’ll continue to lobby for parliamentary time for a draft Bill. We plan to encourage MPs to visit local veterinary practices - we’d love to hear from you if you’d be happy to host. We’re hoping to see a commitment to progressing a Bill in the King’s Speech in 2027 – keep up to date on our VSA webpage.
Competition and Markets Authority investigation
We’ve proactively engaged with the CMA throughout their investigation into the UK’s veterinary services market for household pets since its launch in 2024. We’ve been championing our members, ensuring the proposed remedies consider any unintended consequences, and pushing back on those that would place an unacceptable burden on veterinary practices. We’ve provided numerous written responses to the CMA proposals and given oral evidence at two key hearings, ensuring the veterinary voice was heard throughout. Read all updates here.
On 24 March, the CMA published its Final Decision Report (FDR). We welcomed the majority of the measures, particularly those designed to improve transparency and consumer choice. Read our press release. It’s clear that the CMA listened to concerns raised by BVA and other stakeholders regarding a number of earlier proposals, many of which were disproportionate to the issues they sought to address and would have unfairly impacted smaller independent practices.
We’re now working to produce resources and guidance for members on how to comply with the CMA orders.
EU-UK SPS agreement
On 19 May 2025, the UK Government announced a SPS agreement with the EU, and the details are currently being negotiated. We welcomed the announcement of the agreement, which aims to introduce dynamic alignment between the EU and UK, allowing for greater trade whilst maintaining animal welfare and biosecurity.
We held a briefing discussion for our specialist divisions, with FSA colleagues, on the SPS agreement, outlining what it means and next steps. We’re liaising with Defra and other relevant Government agencies to obtain and influence the details of the agreement as they are negotiated. We’re pushing to be involved in discussions around an SPS agreement, where appropriate, as they develop to ensure our members understand how this affects them and to keep animal health and welfare at the centre of these discussions.
How our members have made a difference
It is thanks to the support of our members that we are able to campaign on these key issues for the profession and animal health and welfare. Below are some recent lobbying wins and areas we continue to push for positive change.
For animal health and welfare:
- Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Act: After a long and sustained campaign by BVA on behalf of our members, we were delighted to see this become law on 2 December 2025. This new law helps to stop pets being illegally imported into the UK, bans imports of animals with mutilations, and helps prevent some diseases, like Brucella Canis, being imported.
- Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act: We called on our key associates to support this Bill through Parliament, and welcomed it receiving Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. The Act will better protect the welfare of farmed animals., with vital updates to the existing legislation to provide clarity on what constitutes ‘worrying’, and the expansion of police powers and sanctions against irresponsible dog owners.
Key lobbying events
Following the launch of the Government’s consultation, legislative reform was at the forefront of everyone’s minds during the BVA London Dinner held on 4 February in Westminster.
Addressing members of the veterinary profession, MPs and peers, BVA President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS thanked guest speaker Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for her work in making progress towards reforming the Act and urged veterinary professionals to stand together and engage with the consultation.
Key topics of conversation also included the ongoing investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority, and the need for fully supported and robust biosecurity measures to keep the UK safe from animal disease incursion. The event was well attended and offered a valuable opportunity to engage proactively with key policy and decision makers, building support for campaigns that matter to our members and for animal welfare.
BVA manifesto for animals, vets, and public health
We have 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.
Scotland
Scottish Elections 2026
Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections we created our manifesto for Scotland’s vets and animals where we highlight our main asks for Scotland’s political parties. We held meetings with the SNP and Green Party manifesto teams to discuss our priority issues, as well as raising our asks with the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Spokespeople at our 2025 Scottish Dinner.
We developed an election toolkit for members, summarising the parties own manifesto pledges on agriculture, animal health and welfare and vet education.
We intend to arrange early meetings with the new Rrual Affairs Spokespeople, once they have been appointed.
Vet Education in Scotland
We have been meeting with party spokespeople for Education and Skills from each political party to highlight our concerns around the funding of veterinary education in Scotland. We also wrote to the then Minister for Higher and Further Education to outline our concerns formally, and we met the convenor of the Children and Young People Committee in the Scottish Parliament who agreed to raise the issue of veterinary education.
How our members have made a difference
- Dog Theft (Scotland) Act: We and SSPCA jointly briefed MSPs ahead of debates on the Dog Theft (Scotland) Act on its passage through Scottish Parliament. This is a vital step in protecting dogs and the people who love them by making dog theft a specific offence, recognising dogs as sentient beings, and introducing stronger protections for helper dogs. The Act passed on 10th February 2026.
- Scottish Government livestock health and welfare strategy: In November, Scottish Government published their livestock health and welfare strategy for 2025 to 2030. It sets out six overarching commitments, each supported by targeted actions. The key role of the veterinary profession is stressed throughout, and Scottish Branch will continue engaging with Scottish Government on this.
Key lobbying events
Scottish Branch AGM: We will be meeting key stakeholders in Edinburgh around the Branch AGM on 4th June 2026, looking to work together on common interests as the new Scottish government and parliament bed in and establish their priorities for the new Parliamentary session.
Scottish Dinner: BVA brought together MSPs, including the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP, policymakers, and key figures in education, farming, and the veterinary profession for our prestigious Scottish Dinner at Holyrood on 30 April 2025. Dinner speeches also highlighted the much-needed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and BVA’s ongoing work to support the profession with the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets. The next Scottish Dinner will be held in autumn 2026.
Engaging with Members of Scottish Parliament
Engaging with Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) through inviting them to practice is one way to highlight the important role that vets play in Scottish society. We've created a handy template for you to use, and encourage Scottish members to tailor this to your own circumstances when extending an invitation to your local MSP to visit your practice. This offers them a unique opportunity to see first-hand the work you do, how you and your teams operate to better understand the challenges and opportunities within the veterinary sector. If you would like further support engaging with your local MSP, please contact us.
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’ animals, vets, and public health 2026-2031
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections we have created our manifesto for Wales’ animals, vets, and public health, where we highlight our main asks for Wales’ political parties. Our calls to action cover:
- The Sustainable Farming Scheme
- BTB and disease control
- Responsible use of veterinary medicines
- Animal licensing activities
- Veterinary workforce
We encourage you to read our manifesto, share it with your networks, and engage your local MS on it.
Building relationships and calling for change at BVA’s Welsh dinner
BVA welcomed the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, as guest of honour for the annual Welsh dinner at Cardiff Castle on 24 June 2025. The event was also attended by around 90 guests, including several Members of the Senedd, senior representatives from animal health and welfare organisations, and veterinary professionals, providing many useful opportunities to build relationships and discuss key topics affecting animals and veterinary professionals.
Newly elected Welsh Branch President Phoebe McCarter used her maiden speech to highlight recent wins for animal welfare in Wales, and the importance of improving biosecurity measures in the face of exotic disease. BVA President Elizabeth Mullineaux spoke about the importance of a modern regulatory framework to enable Welsh vets to continue being at “the forefront of delivering high-quality animal health and welfare services across a diverse landscape, from urban practices in Cardiff and Swansea to large-animal and mixed practices serving rural communities in regions like Powys, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.”
Phoebe and her fellow BVA Welsh Branch officers also spent the day meeting key stakeholders, including the farming unions, CVO, and Deputy First Minister, to call for a greater focus on animal health and welfare in the sustainable farming scheme, and to discuss measures to improve management of endemic and exotic disease.
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.
Key lobbying events
BVA welcomed the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, as guest of honour for the annual Welsh dinner at Cardiff Castle on 24 June 2025. The event was also attended by around 90 guests, including several Members of the Senedd, senior representatives from animal health and welfare organisations, and veterinary professionals, providing many useful opportunities to build relationships and discuss key topics affecting animals and veterinary professionals.
Our manifesto for Wales’ animals, vets, and public health 2026-2031
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections we have created our manifesto for Wales’ animals, vets, and public health, where we highlight our main asks for Wales’ political parties. Our calls to action cover:
- The Sustainable Farming Scheme
- BTB and disease control
- Responsible use of veterinary medicines
- Animal licensing activities
- Veterinary workforce
We encourage you to read our manifesto, share it with your networks, and engage your local MS on it.
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
Key campaigns
- Ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland: Ensuring the continued availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland following the end of the post-Brexit grace period on 1 January 2026 has remained a key focus for BVA and BVA NI Branch. As an active participant of the Government’s Supply Coordination Forum, BVA meets regularly with stakeholders such as vets and farmers, as well as DEFRA and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). In forums such as these, we continue to raise questions about how the Government’s proposed schemes to protect supplies will work in practice and the potential divergence they may create between vets in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
- Future Farming Policy: BVA NI Branch continues to advocate for a Future Farming policy in Northern Ireland that prioritises animal health and welfare. Through active engagement in DAERA’s Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group (APSG) and its Sheep Support Sub-Group, branch members provide a veterinary perspective on policy proposals.
How our members have made a difference
- Protecting the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland: BVA NI Branch members have driven progress on veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland through sustained, hands-on advocacy. To date, members have helped convene a parliamentary briefing for MPs and Peers; co-lead a joint stakeholder letter to government, and provide evidence to parliamentary committees – thus ensuring the profession’s voice was heard at the highest levels. These coordinated efforts directly contributed to the creation of the VMD-led Supply Coordination Forum which will enable members to continue shaping policy and communicate any risks of supply shortfalls to the Government now that the post-Brexit grace period has ended.
- Animal Welfare Pathway 2025-2027: BVA NI Branch members have influenced key elements of Northern Ireland’s Animal Welfare Pathway 2025–27. By providing expert input to consultations and government proposals, members have ensured veterinary perspectives are reflected in policy, strengthening protections for animals across Northern Ireland.
Key lobbying events
On 22 October 2025, BVA welcomed Minister Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, MLAs and stakeholders to the annual Northern Ireland Dinner in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Belfast. Hosted by MLA Michelle McIlveen, 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 his address, BVA President Rob Williams called on the veterinary profession to unite behind reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and reaffirmed BVA’s commitment to continue lobbying the UK Government to secure the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland. Find out more.
Our manifesto for Northern Ireland 2022-27
Ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on 5 May 2022, we launched our manifesto where we highlighted our key asks of Northern Ireland’s political parties. Our calls to action cover:
- The veterinary workforce
- Northern Ireland Protocol
- Better health and welfare for more sustainable and productive farming
- Legislation for animal welfare
We encourage you to read our manifesto, share it with your networks, and engage your local MLA on it.
Engaging with Members of the Legislative Assembly
Engaging with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) through inviting them to practice is one way to highlight the important role that vets play in Scottish society. We've created a handy template for you to use, and encourage Northern Ireland members to tailor this to your own circumstances when extending an invitation to your local MSP to visit your practice.
BVA Northern Ireland Branch
BVA Northern Ireland Branch exists to represent members in Northern Ireland. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Northern Ireland.
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. |