Ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on all parties to sign up to key pledges to enhance animal health and welfare, support the veterinary profession and protect public health in Northern Ireland (NI).
Launched ahead of the elections on 5 May 2022, the 11-point manifesto compiled by BVA’s Northern Ireland Branch includes key pledges covering priorities such as maintaining adequate workforce both in private practice and the government sector, engaging with the next generation of veterinary professionals, the Northern Ireland Protocol, disease control and improving animal welfare.
The pledges that the BVA is calling for also include a crack-down on illegal puppy breeding and unregulated fertility clinics, regulating farriers, preserving access to veterinary medicines and banning the import of dogs with illegal cropped ears.
As well as asking all political parties to adopt the pledges in their manifestos, BVA is calling on its members across NI to write to their Assembly candidates to ask them to commit to taking action on these priority issues if they are elected.
The 11 pledges are:
- Support a new vet school for Northern Ireland
- Ensure sufficient government veterinary services
- Collaborate to preserve veterinary medicines access
- Cooperate to simplify post-Brexit pet travel
- Direct agriculture funding towards improving animal health and welfare
- Commit to partnership working to control disease
- Apply behavioural science to tackle bovine TB
- Protect the welfare of animals at slaughter
- Regulate farriers
- Crack down on illegal puppy breeding and commercial movements
- Ban the import of dogs with cropped ears
Launching the manifesto, BVA NI Branch President Fiona McFarland said: “In this manifesto, we have laid out the priority areas for the Northern Ireland veterinary profession. The manifesto draws together the most pressing issues which matter to our members.
“The veterinary profession plays a vital role in Northern Ireland both in the agri-food sector and in keeping companion animals healthy and cared for. We are focused on protecting all animals from disease threats and maintaining public health. We ensure that animal health and welfare is of the highest standard and by working in partnership with farmers and government we can provide a safe and sustainable food chain.
“We would like to see candidates from all parties listen and commit to taking action on these key issues in Northern Ireland.”
The full manifesto containing the 11 pledges is available to view online.
