Scottish BVA manifesto highlights vet education
BVA's Scottish manifesto addresses a shortage of veterinary professionals in Scotland.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to commit to funding veterinary education.
The organisation highlights the need to remove financial barriers for universities and students to ensure that more local talent, especially those from rural areas, can pursue a veterinary career.
In its manifesto, BVA states its belief that improved educational funding will help address a shortage of veterinary professionals in Scotland. It is urging MSPs to raise the issue within their constituencies to further their understanding of workforce issues.
Vivienne Mackinnon, BVA Scottish Branch president, said: “Vets play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, protecting both animals and the public from disease, and ensuring high standards across the food supply chain.
“Our manifesto highlights the key animal welfare and workforce issues that matter most to our members across the Scottish veterinary community and calls for cross-party commitments to take meaningful action”
Elsewhere in the manifesto, BVA urges MSPs to support workforce further by streamlining the visa and sponsorship process for international veterinary professionals. It says this would attract and support overseas talent, as well as sustaining current roles.
The manifesto also recommends that animal welfare becomes part of a national curriculum, ensuring children have a better understanding of animal needs and duty of care as they grow up.
On the matter of agriculture, BVA suggests that MSPs champion the voice of the veterinary profession within farming policy. This includes a commitment to maintaining existing resources spent on the surveillance network used to safeguard both animal and public health.
Among the other issues addressed in BVA’s Scottish manifesto is a shock collar ban, the welfare of farmed fish, and tightened regulation of fireworks.
The full Manifesto for Scotland can be read here.
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
