BVA calls on political parties to prioritise veterinary education funding in Scotland

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has published a new manifesto, calling on Scotland’s political parties to prioritise good animal health and welfare and support veterinary education by including a number of key asks in their party manifestos.

The manifesto calls on Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to ensure that veterinary education is properly funded and supported by removing financial barriers for universities and students, so that more homegrown talent, particularly from rural areas, can enter the profession. The organisation is also urging the new Scottish Government to implement legislation on vital animal welfare issues, such as a complete ban on the sale and use of electric shock collars for dogs and cats and improving the welfare of farmed fish.

Launching the manifesto, BVA Scottish Branch President Vivienne Mackinnon said: "We know that there is already strong political and public backing for many of the welfare priorities we’ve set out - including a complete ban on aversive training devices like shock collars. The removal of financial barriers for universities and students to encourage more homegrown talent to enter the veterinary profession is vital to address the current shortage of vets in Scotland. We’re eager to work with all parties on these important issues and are urging candidates to speak with vets in their constituencies to gain a better understanding of veterinary workforce and animal welfare issues.

“Vets play a vital role in keeping pets healthy, protecting both animals and the public from disease, and ensuring high standards across the food supply chain. Our manifesto highlights the key animal welfare and workforce issues that matter most to our members across the Scottish veterinary community and calls for cross-party commitments to take meaningful action”

BVA is urging the veterinary community in Scotland to read the manifesto, share it with their networks, and engage their local MSP on veterinary education funding, shock collar ban, and five other key calls to action:

• Improve the welfare of farmed fish: implement legislation based upon the principles of humane slaughter of farmed fish as set out by the Animal Welfare Committee. As an interim measure, we welcome the new statutory guidance issued by the Government under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006
• Teach children about animal welfare: make animal welfare and sentience part of the national curriculum. Children should learn about animals' needs, duty of care, and the meaning of sentience so they grow up treating animals and people with compassion and respect
• Support the veterinary workforce: streamline the visa/sponsorship process for international vets to attract and support veterinary talent from overseas and sustain the vital roles they contribute to in Scotland, including public health
• Tighten the regulation of fireworks: implement the recommendations of the Fireworks Review Group as soon as possible and ensure effective application of Firework Control Zones across the country
• Champion the veterinary voice in farming policy: The veterinary profession should be recognised as a key partner in shaping agricultural policy. The new Government must commit to maintaining the current level of resource spent on the scanning surveillance network to safeguard both animal and public health

For more detail, read BVA’s Manifesto for Scotland’s animals, vets, and public health 2026-2031.