The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Call for vets to receive share of £350bn support
Practices must be seen as ‘business critical’, says BVA
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called for vet practices to be included in the scope of the UK Government’s £350 billion support package for businesses affected by Covid-19.
The BVA says practices need to be recognised as “business critical” because of the essential services they provide to protect animal health and welfare, public health and wellbeing.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s measures include rates relief and grants to support retail and hospitality businesses affected by Covid-19, and he also pledged to do “whatever it takes” to keep these sectors afloat.
However, vet practices have so far not been included in this support, despite the BVA saying their members will also be entering a period of significant financial difficulty while continuing to provide care and treatment to animals and contending with staff shortages and reduced turnover.
BVA president Daniella Dos Santos said: “While BVA welcomes the scale of this response and the promise of an economic lifeline for many businesses, we are extremely concerned that these measures don’t currently extend to the veterinary profession.
“It is a sad fact that many practices may have no option but to close their doors for good if they aren’t eligible for the same support that’s rightly being rolled out to other businesses.
“Veterinary practices make such a valuable contribution to health and wellbeing at the heart of communities, so they need to be offered the same safety net that other businesses have been promised in the unpredictable times ahead.”
The letter also notes the important role that pets have to play in providing companionship to their owners, particularly elderly and vulnerable people who may feel increasingly lonely in the months ahead.
Vets are putting stringent measures in place to keep their services running safely for everyone, as well as offering advice over the phone.