Overhaul of the current Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 has been a long time coming. Many organisations, including BVNA, have been calling for brand new legislation to replace the existing Act, which at 60 years old is significantly outdated.

In the past 2 years we have been making huge strides towards new legislation becoming a reality. Throughout 2025, BVNA worked alongside UK Government, in a stakeholder group set up by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We provided the sole veterinary nursing representation within this working group, which was also made up of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the Veterinary Schools Council (VSC) and other government departments.

On 27th January 2026, UK Government and Defra launched a consultation to seek feedback on its proposals for reforms of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. BVNA’s response to this consultation can be viewed here.

Defra subsequently published a White Paper in Summer 2026, titled “Our vision for a thriving veterinary sector“. The department is now actively bidding for a Bill slot for new legislation to be debated in Parliament.

On this page, we provide resources to help our members and the wider veterinary profession understand how these reforms could impact the work carried out by veterinary teams every day.

Navigating VSA Reform: Resources for the veterinary nursing profession

Blogs:

Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act – What does it mean, and why does it matter?

In this blog, then-BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes outlines the work BVNA has been undertaking throughout 2025, in steps towards brand new legislation.

Webinar recordings:

17th September 2025: Veterinary Surgeons Act Reform – What does it mean for veterinary nurses?

23rd September 2025: Veterinary Surgeons Act Reform – Regulation of the veterinary professions

20th October 2025: Veterinary Surgeons Act Reform – Practice Regulation

10th February 2026: Veterinary Surgeons Act Reform Consultation – Q&A Session

(Follow up answers to delegate questions also available here.)

Discussion panel recordings:

BVNA Congress 2025 – Updates on Potential VSA Reform. During BVNA Congress 2025, we were joined by a panel of expert speakers, including Defra Head of Veterinary Policy Natasha Widdowson. In this session, we explored the work which had been led by Defra towards VSA reform throughout 2025.

BVNA Congress 2026 – VSA Reform: A veterinary nursing profession ready for the future. At BVNA Congress 2026, our panel included Defra Head of Veterinary Policy Jimmy Lindqvist. In this session, speakers shared more about the progress made in the past 12 months, next steps towards securing reformed veterinary legislation, and opportunities for the veterinary nursing profession.

Podcasts:

February 2026: President’s Podcast: BVNA Presidential Team update, including reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act

Communications

28th November 2025: BVNA welcomes UK government commitment to consult on Veterinary Surgeons Act reform

27th January 2026: BVNA urges veterinary profession and public to join calls for reform as UK Government launches Veterinary Surgeons Act consultation

25th March 2026: BVNA responds to UK Government consultation on reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

25th June 2026: BVNA hosts joint Parliamentary engagement event to secure cross-party support for Veterinary Surgeons Act reform

9th July 2026: BVNA warmly welcomes UK Government White Paper outlining Veterinary Surgeons Act reform