The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched a new strategy document under the heading “Vets speaking up for animal welfare”.
Described as a framework to help the veterinary profession advocate good animal welfare outcomes for all animals, the strategy is designed to help BVA, its members and specialist divisions to “contribute to solutions for real world animal welfare problems”.
Dealing with both farm and companion animals, the strategy is described by BVA president, Sean Wensley, as recognising the veterinary surgeon’s “trilemma” whereby the profession’s duties to animals, clients and the businesses vets work for can sometimes conflict.
“It emphasises, however, that our primary duty and motivation must be to improve animal welfare,” he said, “giving a mandate for us to continue advocating for animals’ best interests, both in clinical settings and as veterinary associations.
“As with any strategy, most important is what happens next.”
In that context, he pledged his commitment to develop tools and resources to assist members and to work with BVA specialist divisions to address agreed priority welfare problems in each sector.
He also urged vets themselves to “please let us know what you would most like to see being developed, to help you”.