There are many important and pressing issues facing the profession. The Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) considers that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK exit transition period ending at the end of this year, and the challenges emerging in teaching future generations are likely to be the most important.
Therefore, in relation to the recent correspondence on the structure of the veterinary profession (VR, 27 June/4 July 2020, vol 186, pp 649-650), the VPHA would like to propose that the BVA take an enhanced and increasingly active approach in leading the profession to achieve a satisfactory level of sustainability in its delivery and performance, and it should do so by working closely and cooperatively with all of its divisions.
The BVA [must]take an enhanced and increasingly active approach in leading the profession
Any real-life partnership, whether business or personal, has its ups and downs. The infrequent downs or indeed misunderstandings of any partnership are not worth elaborating on, but we would like to share some positive examples of the VPHA working with both the BVA and other specialist divisions.
Some recent examples include:
The joint VPHA/Association of Government Veterinarians conferences supported by the BVA and some other specialist divisions;
Support to the BVA regarding Brexit and the shortage occupation list implications for the profession;
Development of an agreed policy on the feeding of raw pet food;
Ongoing support and advice to the BVA on sensitive issues relating to animal welfare in transport and the use of CCTV in abattoirs.
The VPHA, within its own remit, will naturally continue to support the BVA’s activities as well as those of other specialist divisions where it can. This joint approach would be in the spirit of the statement of intent for improved working signed by the BVA and its specialist divisions in 2015.