The UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today published a White Paper outlining its proposals for a reformed Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) welcomes this White Paper, titled ‘Our vision for a thriving veterinary sector’, which represents a crucial step towards long-awaited new veterinary legislation.

Pictured left to right: BVA President Rob Williams, Neil Hudson MP, Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Animal Welfare Minister and Undersecretary of State for Defra), BVNA President Sarah Holliday, RCVS Senior Vice President Tim Parkin

BVNA has championed the voice of the veterinary nursing profession throughout the development of these proposals, contributing to a Defra-led stakeholder working group throughout 2025, and subsequently responding to the Government consultation earlier this year.

BVNA President Sarah Holliday commented: “Having campaigned for a reformed Veterinary Surgeons Act for many years, BVNA is delighted that the UK Government has published this White Paper outlining its proposals for new veterinary legislation. We warmly welcome the acknowledgement by the Government of the extensive contributions made by veterinary professionals to animal welfare and public health, along with their ‘professionalism and compassion’.

“The proposed new regulatory framework, including the regulation of veterinary businesses alongside individual professionals, would enable greater accessibility to veterinary care, able to respond to public need as it arises, and go further to safeguard both animal welfare and the public.

“Veterinary nurses are central to the delivery of patient care and veterinary services. BVNA is therefore especially encouraged by the Government’s recognition of the veterinary nursing profession, including its recommendations to protect the ‘veterinary nurse’ title, and enable future expansion of the scope of tasks that veterinary nurses can perform. These measures would improve public trust in the veterinary professions, whilst ensuring more effective utilisation of veterinary nursing skills, and opening up clearer career progression routes in future.

“We thank Defra officials for their commitment in driving forward Veterinary Surgeons Act reform. BVNA looks forward to continuing to engage with UK Government alongside fellow veterinary stakeholders as these proposals progress into becoming law.”

More information on BVNA’s activities within Veterinary Surgeons Act reform to date, on behalf of BVNA members and the wider veterinary nursing profession, can be found here.