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BVA to debate animal welfare in sports at London Vet Show
"Within the profession, we should be playing a leading role in these conversations, but first we need to consider our challenges and responsibilities"- Malcolm Morley
Animal welfare experts will discuss veterinary responsibilities.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) will host a panel debating the challenges and responsibilities of the veterinary industry for animals used in sports at this year’s London Vet Show.

The BVA Congress session, titled ‘Animal Athletes: What are the veterinary profession’s challenges and responsibilities?’, will be chaired by equine veterinary surgeon and BVA senior vice president Malcolm Morley.

Dr Morley will lead a panel of industry experts in a discussion exploring the responsibilities of veterinary surgeons and nurses as advocates for animal welfare in sports.

The debate follows the Autumn 2023 BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey, which revealed that 81 per cent of veterinary surgeons and students thought that the veterinary profession should be more involved in developing and delivering welfare improvements for animals used in sport.

The survey also showed that 17 per cent of veterinary professionals thought animals should be banned in at least some competitive sport. Meanwhile 51 per cent said that, while they shouldn’t be banned, increased regulation was needed when it comes to welfare.

BVA’s discussion also comes as issues relating to animal welfare reach the mainstream news.

In October 2023 the Jockey Club announced that they would be significantly changing some of the Grand National’s rules, including a 34 horse limit on participants. The rule change came as part of an internal investigation into horse welfare.

Elsewhere animal welfare charity Blue Cross continued its campaign to ban greyhound racing within the next five years, by releasing spoof greyhound racing advertisements across the UK.

The BVA’s discussion will explore the role that the veterinary industry should have in animal welfare in sports.

The panel includes Madeleine Campbell, chair of BVA’s ethic and welfare panel and professor of veterinary ethics at Nottingham Vet School, and Bruce Bladon, president elect of the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Also taking part in the panel are Anette Graf, chair of the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations horse welfare Working Group in Sweden, and RSPCA chief veterinary officer Caroline Allen.

The session will be taking place in BVA’s Congress Theatre on Thursday, 16 November 2023 at 1.15pm.

Malcolm Morley said: “We know there’s been increased scrutiny of the ways we use animals in competitive sports. Within the profession, we should be playing a leading role in these conversations, but first we need to consider our challenges and responsibilities.

“With many vets keen to see greater regulation and some even favouring a complete ban, I look forward to hearing from this expert panel of speakers.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."