萝莉视频

Speaking at the 萝莉视频 (萝莉视频) annual Westminster dinner last night (Wednesday 29 February), addressing members of the veterinary profession, MPs and peers - including the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs聽the Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP - 萝莉视频 President Dr. Anna Judson called for urgent modernisation and reform of the 鈥榦utdated鈥� Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Outlining the limitations of the existing legislation, including lack of accountability for vet practices, Anna said: 鈥淐reated in a different era, [the Veterinary Surgeons Act] is nearly 60 years old and not fit for purpose鈥�it is inappropriate that only individual vets and vet nurses can be held accountable for business decisions which can directly impact on animal health and welfare.鈥�

Anna also highlighted the current act 鈥榝ails to embrace the full potential of the veterinary team鈥� and specifically called for the title of 鈥榲et nurse鈥� to be recognised in law, reflecting that vet nurses are highly qualified and bring a wealth of experience to practice teams.

鈥淢y presidential theme 鈥榓 profession for everyone鈥� reflects my belief that we must build a thriving profession, one that attracts and keeps our people and incorporates the whole veterinary team. We simply cannot achieve this on the foundations of the current, outdated legislation鈥�, Anna added.

Alongside the need to reform veterinary legislation, with a general election imminent, Anna highlighted a number of key areas for reform outlined in 萝莉视频鈥檚 manifesto for animals, vets and public health, including; the case for overhauling the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991; the need to tackle key animal welfare concerns left unresolved after the abandonment of the Kept Animals Bill; and the importance of securing permanent access to veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.

萝莉视频 has consistently highlighted the serious threat to Northern Ireland鈥檚 access to veterinary medicines as a result of leaving the European Union. The anticipated loss of over half of all veterinary medicines in December 2025 will have serious and far-reaching consequences for the veterinary profession, the farming and equine sectors, as well as public health. Anna acknowledged the UK Government鈥檚 progress on addressing the issue with the recent announcement of a new working group tasked with urgently finding a permanent solution. However, she highlighted the need for the veterinary perspective to be included in this process for it to succeed. 聽

During her speech, Anna also talked about the speed with which the UK Government introduced the XL Bully ban in England and Wales and the negative impact this is having on pet owners, animal charities and vet teams. She also outlined how the ban will not stop the 鈥榮erious and distressing issue of increasing dog bite incidents and dreadful fatalities鈥� and a complete overhaul of dangerous dog legislation is needed.

Anna said: 鈥淒og bite incidents have steadily risen since the introduction of the Act, with hospital admissions increasing from around 3,000 to nearly 9,000 in 2021-22, a three-fold increase. This is despite four types of dog already being on the banned breeds list. Along with other members of the Dog Control Coalition, we believe that the only way to protect public safety is by overhauling the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Breed specific legislation as enshrined in the Dangerous Dogs Act is ineffective and hard to enforce. It must be replaced with breed neutral legislation. Only then can we properly protect the public.鈥�

Anna鈥檚 speech also acknowledged the challenges continuing to face the profession in 2024, including the ongoing threat of avian flu and emerging diseases such as Bluetongue virus 3, and the Competition and Markets Authority鈥檚 (CMA) review of veterinary services, announced towards the end of last year.

The loss of the Kept Animals Bill last May was also incredibly disappointing. A Government manifesto commitment, it would have tackled several significant animal welfare issues. Anna acknowledged the positive progress being made on individual pieces of animal welfare legislation currently going through Parliament which tackle some of the same pressing issues, including bills on live exports and pet abduction, both progressing at pace. There was also good news yesterday that legislation which will introduce a strict licensing scheme to help prevent the keeping of primates as pets was passed in the House of Lords. 聽

Read Anna鈥檚 full speech here.