Our policies

Veterinary Surgeons Act

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 urgently needs reforming.

This key piece of legislation, which underpins everything veterinary professional do, is no longer  fit for purpose. We need a modernised regulatory framework which supports the veterinary profession, prioritises animal health and welfare, and protects public health.

What's the issue?

The current Act was designed for a different era. Nearly 60 years later, more than half of UK households now have a pet, technology has changed dramatically, and the way vets care for animals has been transformed. Key issues include:

  • Vets are regulated, but the veterinary practices they work for are not – this means individual vets and nurses are held accountable for business decisions which are often outside their control, but can directly impact animal health and welfare.
  • Anyone can call themselves a veterinary nurse - highly skilled and qualified, registered veterinary nurses work closely with veterinary surgeons, yet no formal training or qualifications are actually required for someone to call themselves a ‘veterinary nurse’
  • There is no recognition of the wider vet-led team -  Vets are closely supported by registered veterinary nurses, vet techs, musculoskeletal professionals and equine dental technicians and others, which are now an essential part of veterinary care, yet their roles are not recognised in the current Act.

 

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What’s our view?

We strongly support reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

We need new primary legislation that modernises the regulatory framework, making it fit for purpose and protects the title ‘veterinary nurse’. This will benefit animal health and welfare, delivery of veterinary care and retention of veterinary professionals.

For details on the changes we’d like to see, read our response to the RCVS legislative reform consultation.

What are we doing?

We’ve long been calling for reform of the Act, making it a priority in our manifesto for animals, vets and public health, and using every opportunity we can to highlight it’s importance to decision makers.

We’re pleased to be part of a core working group formed by Defra, alongside key organisations including RCVS, BVNA and VSC, tasked with developing the detail of draft recommendations for Ministers

We working to ensure veterinary surgeons are protected by any new legislation, and that key areas such as regulation of practices, recognition of allied professionals and legal protection for the veterinary nurse title are included.

Support for reform of the Act is growing:

  • The Government confirmed their commitment to the reforms in February 2025, at our annual London Dinner. Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said: “I think each [BVA] dinner I've been to, the Veterinary Surgeons Act has come up. We absolutely understand it. We’re engaging with you and with the other stakeholders from the RCVS, the BVNA, the Vet Schools Council, to look at how we can go about reforming the VSA and that core working group is looking at how changes to policy can support the profession, animals and consumer in a future facing and future proof way.”
  • We welcomed the CMA’s clear recognition of the urgent need for veterinary legislative reform, as part of their Market Investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets.

How can you get involved?

You can help us ensure Parliamentary support for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 by contacting or meeting your local MP to let them know why this issue is important to you.

We've developed a useful resource to help guide members with the process.