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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.
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UK / Westminster
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
UK / Westminster
Supporting Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
We鈥檝e听long called for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, making it a priority in our鈥�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.听
In January Defra published the consultation on reform of the VSA 1966. We issued a听press release calling on the profession to support the case for reform, as well as publishing a series of FAQs and delivering听a webinar听series, available on听our听dedicated webpage.听听
We responded to the consultation with help from听our Legislative Reform Working Group, and with oversight from Policy Committee and Council sign-off.听听Read the response in full.听A summary of听our response can be听read here.听
We鈥檙e听now waiting for the听government鈥檚听response.听听In the meantime,听we鈥檒l听continue to lobby for parliamentary time for a draft Bill.听We plan to encourage MPs to visit local听veterinary听practices听听-听we鈥檇听love to听hear from you听if听you鈥檇听be happy to host.听We鈥檙e听hoping听to see a commitment to progressing a Bill in the King鈥檚 Speech in 2027听鈥� keep up to date听on our VSA听webpage.听
Competition and Markets Authority investigation
We鈥檝e听proactively engaged with the CMA听throughout their investigation into the UK鈥檚 veterinary services market for household pets听since its launch in 2024.听We鈥檝e been听championing our members,听ensuring the proposed remedies consider any unintended consequences,听and pushing听back on those that would place an unacceptable burden on veterinary practices.听We鈥檝e听provided听numerous听written听responses to听the CMA proposals and听given听oral evidence at听two听key听hearings, ensuring the veterinary听voice was heard throughout.听Read all updates here.听
On 24 March, the CMA published its听听(FDR).听We welcomed听the majority of听the measures, particularly those designed to improve transparency and consumer choice.听Read our press release.听It鈥檚听clear that the听CMA listened to concerns raised by 趣夜app鈥痑nd other stakeholders听regarding听a number听of听earlier听proposals, many of which were鈥痙isproportionate鈥痶o the issues they鈥痵ought鈥痶o鈥痑ddress and鈥痺ould have unfairly鈥痠mpacted鈥痵maller independent practices.鈥�听
We鈥檙e听now working to produce resources and guidance for members on how to听comply with听the CMA orders.听听
EU-UK SPS agreement
On 19 May听2025, the UK Government announced a SPS agreement with the EU, and the details are currently being negotiated.听We听welcomed听the announcement of the agreement, which aims to introduce dynamic alignment between the EU and UK, allowing for greater trade whilst听maintaining听animal welfare and biosecurity.听听听
We held a briefing discussion for our specialist divisions, with FSA colleagues, on the SPS agreement, outlining what it means and next steps.听We鈥檙e听liaising with Defra and other relevant Government agencies to obtain and influence the details of the agreement as they are negotiated.听We鈥檙e听pushing to be involved in discussions around an SPS agreement, where听appropriate, as they develop听to ensure our members understand how this affects them and to keep animal health and welfare at the centre of these discussions.听听
How our members have made a difference鈥�听
It is thanks to the support of our members that we听are able to听campaign on these key issues for the profession and animal health and welfare. Below are some recent lobbying wins听and areas we continue to push for positive change.听听
For animal health and welfare:
- :听After a long and sustained campaign by 趣夜app on behalf of our members,听we were delighted to see this听become law on 2 December 2025.鈥� This听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.听听
- 听听We听called on our key associates to听support this Bill through听Parliament, and听welcomed it听receiving Royal Assent on听18 December听2025. The Act will better protect the welfare of farmed animals.,听with听vital updates to the existing legislation听to provide听clarity on what constitutes 鈥榳orrying鈥�,听and the expansion of police powers and sanctions against irresponsible dog owners.听
Key lobbying events
Following the launch of the Government鈥檚 consultation, legislative鈥痳eform鈥痺as at the forefront of everyone鈥檚 minds鈥痙uring鈥痶he 趣夜app London Dinner鈥痟eld on 4 February in鈥疻estminster.鈥�
Addressing members of the veterinary profession, MPs and peers, 趣夜app President Dr. Rob Williams MRCVS thanked guest speaker Baroness Hayman of鈥疷llock, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department鈥痜or鈥疎nvironment, 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鈥�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.
趣夜app manifesto for animals, vets, and public health听
We听have听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.听
Scotland
Scottish Elections 2026鈥�听
Ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections we created our鈥�manifesto for Scotland鈥檚 vets and animals鈥痺here we highlight our main asks for Scotland鈥檚 political parties.鈥疻e 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.鈥�听
We developed鈥痑n鈥痚lection toolkit鈥痜or members, summarising the parties own manifesto pledges on agriculture, animal health and welfare and vet education.鈥�听
We intend to arrange early meetings with the new Rrual鈥疉ffairs Spokespeople, once鈥痶hey have been appointed.鈥�听
Vet Education in Scotland鈥�听
We鈥痟ave 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.鈥疻e also wrote to the then Minister for鈥疕igher and Further Education to outline our concerns鈥痜ormally, and we met the convenor of the Children and Young People Committee in the Scottish Parliament鈥痺ho agreed to raise the issue of veterinary education.鈥�听
How our members have made a difference鈥��听
- Dog Theft (Scotland) Act:鈥�We鈥痑nd SSPCA鈥痡ointly briefed MSPs ahead of debates on鈥痶he鈥�鈥痮n its passage through鈥疭cottish Parliament.鈥疶his is 补鈥痸ital 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.鈥疶he Act passed on 10th鈥疐ebruary 2026.鈥�听
- Scottish Government livestock health and welfare strategy:鈥疘n November, Scottish Government published鈥痶heir鈥�鈥痜or 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.鈥��听
Key lobbying events鈥�听
Scottish Branch AGM:鈥�We will be meeting key stakeholders in Edinburgh around the Branch AGM on 4th鈥疛une 2026, looking to work together on common interests as the new Scottish government and parliament bed in and鈥痚stablish鈥痶heir priorities for the new Parliamentary session.鈥�听
Scottish Dinner:鈥�趣夜app 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鈥�2025.鈥疍inner speeches also highlighted the much-needed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and 趣夜app鈥檚 ongoing work to support the profession with the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into UK veterinary services for household pets.鈥疶he next Scottish Dinner will be held in autumn 2026.鈥�听
听
Engaging with Members of Scottish Parliament鈥�听
Engaging with Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) through inviting them to practice is one way to highlight the鈥痠mportant role鈥痶hat vets play in Scottish society.鈥疻e've鈥痗reated 补鈥�handy template鈥痜or you to鈥痷se, and鈥痚ncourage 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鈥痮perate鈥痶o better understand the challenges and opportunities within the veterinary sector. If you would like further support engaging with your local MSP, please鈥�contact us.鈥�听
趣夜app Scottish Branch
趣夜app Scottish Branch exists to鈥痳epresent鈥痬embers in Scotland. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions, Government, academic institutions, and research organisations in Scotland.鈥�
Wales
Our manifesto for Wales鈥� animals, vets, and public health 2026-2031
Ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections we have created our听manifesto for Wales鈥� animals, vets, and public health,听where we highlight our main asks for Wales鈥� political parties. Our calls to action cover:
- The Sustainable Farming Scheme
- BTB and disease control
- Responsible use of veterinary medicines 听
- Animal licensing activities
- Veterinary workforce
听
We encourage you to听read our manifesto, share it with your networks, and engage your local MS on it.
Building relationships and calling for change at 趣夜app鈥檚 Welsh dinner
趣夜app welcomed the First Minister of Wales Rhun ap Iorwerth and Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd at 趣夜app鈥檚 annual Welsh Dinner, held at Cardiff Castle on 15 July 2026. The event was also attended by around 80 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.
趣夜app Welsh Branch President, Pheobe McCarter, called for recognition of animal health and welfare in the Wales Sustainable Farming Scheme as well as the importance of the control of animal disease. 趣夜app President Rob Williams urged Senedd Members and Welsh vets to back the UK Government's new White Paper reforming the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Congratulating Aberystwyth Vet School's first graduating cohort, he outlined how reform will shape veterinary service delivery and support the future workforce in Wales, and stressed the need for continued collaboration between the Welsh Government and the profession on biosecurity and disease prevention.
Phoebe and her fellow 趣夜app Welsh Branch officers also spent the day meeting key stakeholders, including the farming unions, CVO, and Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability pushing our manifesto asks and discussing measures to improve management of endemic and exotic disease.
Welsh Branch meeting with Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
趣夜app and Welsh Branch officers met the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd in July 2026 to discuss the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), progress on BVD, and commitments to eradicating TB as well as hearing his support for the Aberystwyth vet school. The Cabinet Minister, who is proud to be a 趣夜app Honorary Associate, is keen to work with 趣夜app on many key issues.
Meeting with Senedd Members
Since election day we have met with a number of newly elected and returning Members of the Senedd. These included Andrew RT Davies MS, Vikki Howells MS, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS and Kerry Ferguson MS. These discussions provided a valuable opportunity to outline our priorities for animal health and welfare, discuss the challenges facing the veterinary profession in Wales, the Sustainable Farming Scheme, TB, and explore how we can work together to support vets, animals, and rural communities across the country over the coming term.
趣夜app Welsh Branch
趣夜app Welsh Branch exists to represent members in Wales. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions,鈥疓overnment, academic institutions, and research organisations in Wales.
Northern Ireland
Key campaigns鈥�听
- Ensuring the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland:听Ensuring the continued availability of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland following the end of the post-Brexit grace period on 1 January 2026 has鈥痳emained鈥痑 key focus for 趣夜app and鈥ひ筧pp鈥疦I Branch.听As an active participant of the Government鈥檚 Supply Coordination Forum,听趣夜app meets regularly with stakeholders such as听vets听and farmers, as well as DEFRA and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).听鈥疘n forums such as these, we听continue to raise questions about how the听Government鈥檚听proposed schemes听to protect supplies听will work in鈥痯ractice鈥痑nd鈥痶he potential divergence they may create between vets in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.听
- Future听Farming听Policy:听趣夜app NI Branch continues to advocate for a Future Farming policy in Northern Ireland that prioritises animal health and welfare. Through active engagement in DAERA鈥檚 Agricultural Policy Stakeholder Group (APSG) and its Sheep Support Sub-Group,听branch members provide a veterinary perspective on policy proposals.听听
How our members have made a difference鈥�听
- Protecting the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland:听趣夜app NI Branch members have driven progress on veterinary medicines access in Northern Ireland through sustained, hands-on advocacy.听To date, members听have听helped听convene听a parliamentary briefing for MPs and Peers;听co-lead a joint stakeholder letter to听government, and听provide evidence to听parliamentary committees听鈥� thus听ensuring the profession鈥檚 voice was heard at the highest levels. These coordinated efforts directly contributed to the creation of the VMD-led Supply Coordination Forum听which will enable members听to continue shaping policy听and听communicate听any risks of听supply听shortfalls to the Government听now that the post-Brexit grace period has ended.听
- Animal Welfare Pathway 2025-2027:听趣夜app NI Branch members have influenced key elements of听Northern Ireland鈥檚听Animal Welfare Pathway 2025鈥�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.听
Key lobbying events听
On 22 October 2025, 趣夜app welcomed Minister Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs,听MLAs听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听experts听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, 趣夜app President Rob Williams called on the veterinary profession to unite behind reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and reaffirmed 趣夜app鈥檚 commitment to continue lobbying the UK Government to secure the supply of veterinary medicines in Northern Ireland.鈥�Find out more.
Our manifesto for Northern Ireland 2022-27听
Ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on 5 May 2022, we launched鈥�our听manifesto鈥痺here we highlighted our key asks听of Northern Ireland鈥檚 political parties.听Our calls to action cover:听
- The veterinary workforce听
- Northern Ireland Protocol听
- Better health and welfare for more sustainable and productive farming听
- Legislation听for animal welfare听
We encourage you to鈥痳ead our manifesto, share it with your networks, and engage your local MLA听on it.听
Engaging with Members of the Legislative Assembly
Engaging with Members of听the Legislative Assembly听(MLAs) through inviting them to practice is one way to highlight the听important role听that vets play in Scottish society.听We've听created 鈥�for you to听use, and听encourage听Northern Ireland听members to tailor this to your own circumstances when extending an invitation to your local MSP to visit your practice.听
趣夜app Northern Ireland Branch
趣夜app听Northern Ireland Branch听exists to听represent听members in听Northern Ireland. It brings together representatives of our specialist and territorial divisions,鈥疓overnment, academic institutions, and research organisations in听Northern Ireland.听
Engaging with your MP听You 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 补鈥�痽ou with the process. |