Recognising and retaining the vital roles that vets play across animal health, animal welfare and public health is pivotal to securing successful outcomes from Brexit says British Veterinary Association (BVA) president Gudrun Ravetz.
Speaking this evening to key influencers at BVA’s annual London Dinner, held in Westminster, she said that many association members remain “concerned about the threat Brexit poses for UK animal health and welfare”.
“The UK veterinary profession relies heavily on EU graduates, who have felt the impact of the EU referendum result since day one,” added Ms Ravetz (pictured above). “In the meat hygiene sector alone, some estimates suggest 95% of veterinary surgeons graduated overseas.
“That’s why our first action after June 23 was to call on UK governments to protect the status of EU veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses currently living and working in the UK. It was encouraging to see some of these key priorities make it into the Prime Minister’s list of negotiating priorities. But we have said from the outset that our members need certainty and reassurance, so we urge the Government to make that firm commitment now.”
The president also used the London Dinner to preview a new BVA campaign, called ‘I support team vet’, which is due to launch tomorrow (February 8) with the aim of championing the value of veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and the wider veterinary team.