BVA: status of vets and vet nurses must be protected post-Brexit

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on ministers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure Brexit does not harm the status of veterinary professionals.

In a letter addressed to secretary of state Liz Truss and others, the organisation called for an early statement confirming that non-British EU vets and vet nurses who are currently living, studying or working in the UK will continue to be able to do so in future.

The BVA is also seeking reassurance for UK veterinary professionals working and studying in other EU member states that their status will be protected despite Britain's decision to leave the union.

It was acknowledged that many of the decisions to be taken by the government regarding existing EU legislation and rules post-Brexit have not yet been made, with future negotiations likely to be pivotal.

In the letter, BVA president Sean Wensley said: "We recognise that these unanswered questions are having a profound impact on many of our members – particularly members who are non-British EU citizens, or have family members who are, and members who work alongside colleagues from other European member states."

Statistics from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons show that almost half of veterinary surgeons registering in the UK qualified from veterinary schools elsewhere in the EU.