While Brexit negotiations continue, the veterinary profession have been working hard to convey to the government the importance of securing legislation to safeguard both the veterinary workforce and animal/public health and welfare. The recent release of the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) report on European Economic Area (EEA) migration, which looks at current patterns and predicts future patterns of EEA migration, has prompted a response from vets welcoming the evidence-based approach, but expressing some concerns regarding legislative overcomplications causing problems in the real world. BVA President John Fishwick explains ‘nearly half of vets registering to work in the UK every year come from the EEA, so it's critical that any changes to migration policy are designed to maintain capacity and guard against sudden shortages rather than introducing new layers of bureaucracy such as the onerous application for licences to sponsor employees or restrictions on flexible movement between roles’ (BVA, 2018a).
With regard to pet travel, BVA President John Fishwick has stated that ‘whatever agreement we reach with the EU, it is essential that the movement of animals doesn't translate into the free movement of disease’ (BVA, 2018b). As part of their campaign, BVA have released a new Pet Travel Policy which includes 15 recommendations to the government. The key pet travel recommendations are as follows:
- The extension of the waiting time postrabies vaccination to 12 weeks with the aim of minimising the risk of rabies entering the UK and also trying to combat the illegal commercial puppy importation trade
- Compulsory tick and tapeworm treatment for all cats and dogs travelling under PETS
- Shortening the tapeworm treatment window from 1–5 days (24–120 hours) to 1–2 days (24–48 hours) before entry into the UK
- Restricting the number of animals that can travel under PETS to five per consignment (not five per person)
- Improving enforcement and surveillance services at the UK border (BVA, 2018b).
Another key contributor towards Brexit negotiation is BSAVA. In April this year, BSAVA held their annual congress, the theme of which was ‘There is nothing permanent except change: change is constant and inevitable’. Many of the Congress' ‘Big Issues’ stream topics related to Brexit, with a focus on the illegal puppy trade, workforce issues relating to Brexit and modernising animal licensing and inspection activities. BSAVA is frequently called on to provide input into a variety of matters affecting the veterinary profession, including legislative changes which have increased enormously because of Brexit. BSAVA President, Philip Lhermette, has stated that ‘one of the major challenges ahead will be Brexit and the impact it will have on jobs, pharmaceuticals, research and many other aspects of veterinary life and life in general, so we are working in close association with BVA and others to try and mitigate the impact these changes will have on the profession’ (BSAVA, 2018).
There is much concern within the veterinary industry especially surrounding illegal importation with fears that changes to legislation will result in further relaxed pet travel rules and greater risk to UK biosecurity, animal and public health and welfare in the UK. BVA's Spring 2018 ‘Voice of the Veterinary Profession’ survey supports this view, showing that 29% of vets in practice have seen at least one suspected illegal puppy importation case in the last 12 months (BVA, 2018b).
Further concerns among the veterinary industry can be explored by reviewing the NOAH's ‘Brexit Barometer’ report, which tracks industry sentiment regarding the Brexit negotiations and their impact on the veterinary industry. Summer 2018 has seen the release of the third report and while optimism surrounding animal health and welfare does appear to be increasing, other areas of concern, such as trade and export and public health and food production, have been met with increasing uncertainty and pessimistic views. NOAH are holding their next ‘Brexit and Beyond’ conference on 30th October in London where they will be taking stock of opinions in readiness for their 4th Brexit Barometer report, their last before the UK leaves the EU on 29th March 2019.