Several MPs have pledged support for the introduction of regulation for vet businesses, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

The MPs were attending an event at the House of Commons, hosted by the BVA alongside the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Nursing Association.

According to the BVA, the event underlined the urgent need for reform of the "outdated" Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The association claimed that the bill needs to brought into the "modern age" to ensure that the veterinary sector is equipped to support animal owners and animals under its care.

In addition to regulation for vet businesses, BVA also called for mandatory licensing and standards for all veterinary practices as well.

MPs

BVA outlined that the event, which was sponsored by MP and vet Neil Hudson, was attended by more than 60 parliamentarians and representatives from across the veterinary sector, including MPs Danny Chambers, Liz Saville Roberts, Sir Roger Gale, and Robin Swann.

Animal welfare minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Baroness Hayman of Ullock was also present at the event, where she delivered a speech on behalf of the government.

Hayman said: "This government is committed to supporting our valued veterinary professionals who play a vital role in protecting animal health and welfare across the country.

"We will ensure the profession has a modern legislative framework that reflects contemporary practice and supports the highest standards of animal care.”

While acknowledging that the Veterinary Surgeons Act underpins the delivery of UK veterinary care, BVA stated that a reform of the bill would better protect animal welfare, support veterinary professionals and customer confidence.

The cross-party support for the reform follows the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) final report into UK veterinary services for household pets, in which it calls for widespread reform of veterinary legislation to address a number of concerns it has raised around transparency and consumer choice.

BVA

Speaking on behalf of the BVA, president Dr. Rob Williams noted that the event demonstrated "a real and positive momentum for change."

Williams commented: "Currently, veterinary professionals are regulated, but the businesses they work in are not.

"This can leave individual vets and nurses responsible for decisions outside their control that may affect animal health - the recent CMA investigation highlighted this gap.

"After many years of campaigning by veterinary organisations, we are on the cusp of exciting and much-needed reform, and we now need cross-party backing to get a new Veterinary Surgeons Act over the line and into law," he added.