British Veterinary Association calls to reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
At a reception in Westminster last week, legislative reform took center stage as leaders across the veterinary profession gathered following the Government’s launch of a consultation on updating the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Speaking to an audience that included MPs, peers, and veterinary professionals, British Veterinary Association (BVA) President Dr. Rob Williams called on the profession to come together and take an active role in shaping the future of veterinary regulation.
Addressing attendees at One Great George Street, Dr. Williams thanked Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for her efforts in advancing progress toward reform. He emphasized that meaningful change will require input and engagement from across the profession.
“The challenges facing vets today cannot be met with outdated legislation. The Veterinary Surgeons Act is now 60 years old and not fit for purpose,” he said. “We urgently need a modernised Act that recognises the reality of the veterinary profession of today and is future focused by design.”
Dr. Williams encouraged veterinary professionals to participate in the consultation process, stressing the long-term impact the proposed changes could have on the field.
“These reforms will affect everyone in this room, so I ask you all to engage with the consultation, support the case for change and encourage your colleagues to do so too,” he said. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the future of our sector for generations to come.”
In addition to legislative reform, Dr. Williams addressed broader issues affecting the profession, including the UK Government’s announcement that it will negotiate a Veterinary Agreement with the European Union. He described the move as positive, noting its potential to support trade and improve access to disease surveillance networks. At the same time, he highlighted ongoing challenges tied to limited resources and operational pressures within government departments and agencies responsible for biosecurity and animal health.
He pointed to the growing threat of novel animal diseases and raised questions about how the profession can best support national preparedness and response efforts. Dr. Williams called for closer collaboration between private practitioners and government partners to strengthen biosecurity and disease outbreak readiness across the country.
The speech also touched on the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) ongoing investigation into veterinary services for household pets. Dr. Williams acknowledged that some of the public coverage surrounding the inquiry has been discouraging for veterinary teams, but noted that the CMA has also recognized the profession’s commitment to ethical care and prioritizing animal welfare. He emphasized that the BVA has been working closely with the CMA to ensure any resulting changes improve transparency and strengthen trust between veterinarians and pet owners.
Throughout the evening, the message remained consistent: with the consultation underway and multiple industry shifts on the horizon, this moment represents a rare opportunity for veterinary professionals to help shape the regulatory and operational future of the field.
