The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (Thursday, July 9) announced a series of proposals within a new white paper, which sets out the department's vision for a "thriving and fairer" veterinary sector.

Defra outlined that vet practices will be required to publish price lists for common treatments and written prescription fees will be capped at £21 under the new proposals.

The white paper calls for the introduction of an independent veterinary ombudsman to give animal owners a clear and straightforward route to redress when complaints cannot be resolved directly with their practice.

The department also stated that it hopes to extend statutory regulation beyond veterinary surgeons to include veterinary nurses and other allied veterinary professionals, such as farriers and equine dental technicians, through a licence-to-practise system.  

Defra

Speaking about the proposals, the UK's chief veterinary officer, Christine Middlemiss noted that the white paper responds to the findings of the Competition and Market Authority's (CMA) report on the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Middlemiss said: "The veterinary profession has changed enormously over the past 60 years, but the legislation underpinning it has not kept pace.

In the 1960s, Defra outlined that the veterinary sector was then largely made up of agricultural vet practices and small family run businesses, whereas now the industry is dominated by "small animal care and a handful of large corporates".

The department added that these reforms will ensure that the regulatory framework keeps pace with a modern, growing veterinary sector. 

BVA

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) stated that it is "strongly backing the proposals" brought forward by Defra, with the BVA previously campaigning for these reforms in recent weeks.

Other reforms within the white paper that the BVA is in support of include an updated fitness-to-practise process and the protection of the 'registered vet nurse' title.

The president of the BVA, Dr. Rob Williams described the white paper as "a landmark moment that takes us one step closer to bringing the Veterinary Surgeons Act in line with the demands of modern veterinary practice."

He commented: "We are pleased that the government has listened to our concerns and proposed a separation of the regulatory and professional leadership functions, with an independent oversight body to review the regulator’s performance.

"We also back proposals for the ultimate decision-making power of the regulator to rest with an appointed board that will include a mix of lay and professional members, a requirement for veterinary businesses and individual registered professionals to pay a licence fee.

"An important responsibility for the new board will be ensuring the regulatory function has protected funding enabling it to meet its objectives in a timely, transparent and fair way."

Williams added that the BVA will continue to engage with MPs from all parties, with the hope of a bill being introduced to parliament next year.