What will be the effects of the EU Referendum on the Veterinary Profession?

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The president of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), Sean Wensley, stated the result of June’s EU referendum will have ‘a significant impact on the veterinary profession, particularly in relation to regulation, education and workforce planning, but also in terms of animal welfare, research, surveillance, and animal movements’.

Wensley asserted that, in the imminent negotiations, the voice of the BVA would not go unheard and that the welfare of animals of the UK will remain the priority of the discussion. He confirmed that the BVA intends to retain an ‘outward looking and inclusive perspective’ in their relationships with international partners, including the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), of which the UK is one of thirty-eight member countries, Commonwealth Veterinary Association (CVA) and World Veterinary Association (WVA). The continuation of these alliances will ensure that veterinary profession in the UK continues to ‘influence and engage on cross border issues such as disease surveillance, veterinary medicines and antimicrobial resistance’, so not only will the welfare of pets and livestock be preserved, but British institutions engaging in veterinary research and development will not lose the relations they’ve built with establishments overseas.

Many of those with vet jobs as well as others in our profession are concerned about their ability to work in the UK as a non-British citizen, their career prospects of permanent vet jobs on the continent and the value of their ongoing studies in Europe. If you have any concerns about the impact of Brexit on your role or pursuits, you can visit the FAQ page of the RCVS Website. There are still a number of grey areas as, inevitably, many things will depend on the post-Brexit arrangements. For the time being, European citizens are still fully entitled to continue working in their positions and the veterinary practises in the UK need them just as much as ever. This is expected to be the case for some time. If the Government enacts Article 50 – which will formalise the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU – there will be a negotiation period that is expected to take a minimum of two years.

Not only are our pets and local practices effected, but the country’s farming trade sectors, too. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Council debated the potential effects of Brexit in April 2016, considering inter alia agricultural trade with the EU and the rest of the world, the balance of risks of a national farm policy versus the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the future of farming regulation and agricultural labour. The NFU website contains further information on issues relating to the UK farming sector but, as with most other areas, the results of Brexit will only be black and white after the conclusion of the separation talks.

The RCVS has assured its members and followers that it will publish regular updates to readers as the situation regarding any news that concerns the British veterinary profession. You can also read the BVA’s PDF publication ‘The EU Referendum and the UK Veterinary Profession’ for more information on the multiple areas of the industry that will be discussed to ensure the best future for British veterinary medicine, animal welfare and disease research.