Brexit – Veterinary Fact File · PDF fileBrexit – Veterinary Fact File Updated 24th October 2016 Contents 1. EU legislation

O F F I C E O F L O R D T R E E S

H O U S E O F L O R D S , W E S T M I N S T E R , S W 1 A 0 P W

Page 1 of 14 Parliamentary Veterinary Intern: Anthony Ridge

E-mail: [email protected]

Twitter: @VetPolicy

Web: vprf.wordpress.com

Brexit – Veterinary Fact File Updated 24th October 2016

Contents 1. EU legislation ................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Workforce ....................................................................................................................................... 3

3. RCVS impacts................................................................................................................................... 5

4. Drugs ............................................................................................................................................... 5

5. Surveillance and biosecurity ........................................................................................................... 6

6. Animal Welfare ............................................................................................................................... 7

7. Food and farming ............................................................................................................................ 8

8. Research .......................................................................................................................................... 9

1. EU legislation 1.1 Areas currently subject to EU legislation include: 1

• Veterinary medicines • Livestock and food chain traceability • Food labelling • Livestock identification and record keeping • Food safety • Disease prevention, control, eradication and outbreaks • Surveillance • Control and disposal of animal by-products • Official animal welfare checks • Welfare at slaughter • Animal welfare standards for different species • Welfare in transport • Controls on food products and livestock at ports • Pet travel • Commercial movement of animals • Use of animals for research

1 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Campaigns/eu-referendum-uk-veterinary-profession.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


1.2 Future EU legislation:

EU Animal Health Law (Rules on Transmissible Animal diseases) was passed by all EU institutions in

April 2016 and will apply in the EU from April 2021.

EU medicated feed and veterinary medicinal products regulations. Draft legislation produced,

European Parliament finalised position March 2016. European Council progress very slow (currently

considered 57/150 articles in vet med products regulation (July 2016). Medicated Feed regulations

have not been considered for several months to allow Vet Med Products to “catch up”. Council not

finalised its views on either so neither has entered trilogue. Current guess is that trilogue will start in

mid-2017, legislation may be finalised by the end of 2018 and come into effect 2020 or 20212.

Medicated feed proposal:

Replace the current directive with regulation to harmonise rules on production, marketing and use of medicated feed in EU.

Allow for medicated feed to be used in non-food animals (i.e. pets)

Reduce risks of antimicrobial resistance by: o restricting preventative use of medicated feed o setting limits for the amount of active substance permitted to be present in non-

target feed (“carry over”).

Allow for “anticipated production” where medicated feed is made in advance of a prescription

Set criteria for homogeneity in feed Veterinary Medicinal Products proposal:

Introduce ability for commission to reserve use of certain antimicrobials for humans only (via implementing acts)

Ban routine prophylactic usage of antimicrobials

Restrict metaphylactic usage to use in clinically ill animals or individual animals identified as high risk Ban the internet sales of antimicrobials, psychotropic and biological or immunological veterinary medicines.

Restrict veterinarians to only be able to sell antimicrobials for animals under their immediate care and only in the amount required for the treatment concerned.

Facilitate R&D to create new antimicrobials by extending the periods of protection of new products

2 D. Murphy, NOAH, pers. comm. July 2016





Twitter: @VetPolicy


2. Workforce Source: Adapted from RCVS Facts 2008 and 2014

FIGURE 1: RCVS new registrations 2002-2014

2.1 Lack of experienced vets for clinical veterinary roles

BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey 20153: Two thirds of vet practices took over

three months to fill a vacancy in the last year with 1 in 10 taking over 6 months. Particularly

bad in companion animal sector – a quarter took 6 months and 20% of ads were withdrawn

due to lack of suitable candidates. The majority of those that struggled to recruit were

looking for vets with at least one year experience (91%) with 49% looking for vets with over

three years of experience

Three months is over three times the national average (April 2016) of 29 days4

2.2 Uncertainty for non-UK EU vets currently working in the UK

Rights of EU vets to live and work in the UK – currently subject to negotiations. EU directive 2005/36/EC on mutual recognition of professional qualifications – could be revised

during negotiations.

BVA position calls for the working rights of non-UK EU vets/veterinary nurses (VNs) currently

working and studying in the UK, and for British vets/VNs working in the EU, to be maintained with no

time limit and to consider inclusion of veterinary medicine on the Shortage Occupation List.5

3 https://www.bva.co.uk/News-campaigns-and-policy/Newsroom/News-releases/Struggling-to-recruit--you-are-not-alone/ 4 http://dhihiringindicators.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/2016-06-DHI-Hiring-Indicators-FINAL.pdf 5 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/BVA-principles-for-negotiating-Brexit.pdf

2002/03

2003/04

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

Overseas non-EU/EAA 299 249 346 228 218 190 155 146 142 126 122 135

Overseras EU/EAA 355 258 362 579 519 493 454 369 435 456 603 701

UK 493 493 587 565 569 628 630 736 708 815 807 795

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

Nu

mb

er o

f n

ew r

egis

trat

ion

s

UK Overseras EU/EAA Overseas non-EU/EAA

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/publications/rcvs-facts-2008/?destination=%2Fpublications%2F%3Ffilter-keyword%3Dfacts%26filter-type%3D%26filter-month%3D%26filter-year%3D%26filter.x%3D0%26filter.y%3D0

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/publications/rcvs-facts-2014/?destination=%2Fpublications%2F%3Ffilter-keyword%3Dfacts%26filter-type%3D%26filter-month%3D%26filter-year%3D%26filter.x%3D0%26filter.y%3D0





Twitter: @VetPolicy


2.3 Reliance of current vet businesses and vet teaching/research on non -UK vets.

TABLE 1: PROPORTION OF NON-UK EU NATIONALS ACADEMIC STAFF MEMBERS IN UK VETERINARY

SCHOOLS (JULY 2016)6

RCVS – in recent years almost 50% of veterinary surgeons registering in the UK qualified

from Non-UK EU vet schools7 (Figure 1).

APHA – 90% of meat inspection OVs are non-UK EU citizens

2.4 Uncertainty over the future employment of non-UK vets

Opportunity to allow more selectivity in choice of registered vets?

Current European standard provided by European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE)

RCVS may wish to develop own accreditation scheme Likely to make it more difficult to employ vets from EU

May follow current model for employment of non-EU vets – i.e. subject to UK Visa sponsorship license requirements

Possibility to make it easier to employ vets from outside EU

May be possible to remove requirement to advertise posts within the EU prior to employing from non-EU countries.

Possible repeal of regulations implementing the EU Working Time Directive – remove legal limits on working time (currently set at 48 hours per week). 8

6 Vet Schools Council et al. Pers. Comm., July 2016 7 RCVS Facts 2014 and 2008 reports 8 Vet Times report July 2016 “Good for employers, bad for employees” James Cronin (Eight Legal – UK’s only vet specific HR and employment law service).

VETERINARY SCHOOL

% NON-UK EU STAFF

BRISTOL 13%

NOTTINGHAM 11%

RVC 28%

EDINBURGH 21%

GLASGOW 11%

LIVERPOOL 40%

CAMBRIDGE 14%

TOTAL 22%

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/publications/rcvs-facts-2014/?destination=%2Fpublications%2F%3Ffilter-keyword%3Drcvs%2Bfacts%26filter-type%3D%26filter-month%3D%26filter-year%3D%26filter.x%3D0%26filter.y%3D0

http://www.rcvs.org.uk/publications/rcvs-facts-2008/?destination=%2Fpublications%2F%3Ffilter-keyword%3Drcvs%2Bfacts%26filter-type%3D%26filter-month%3D%26filter-year%3D%26filter.x%3D0%26filter.y%3D0





Twitter: @VetPolicy


3. RCVS impacts Financial impact on the college from drop in registrations

There is likely to be a requirement to amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Opening up the Act

may offer the opportunity for changes - e.g. introduce stricter language controls and to review

Schedule 3.9

BVA position is for the RCVS to have the power to determine recognition of veterinary qualifications

and language competency requirements.10

4. Drugs EU legislation: The Veterinary Medicinal Products Directive 2001/82/EC (as amended) sets out the

controls on the manufacture, authorisation, marketing, distribution and post-authorisation

surveillance of veterinary medicines.

New EU legislation on veterinary medicinal products and veterinary medicated feeds proposed but

still several years from being finalised and implemented (likely after 2020).

EU has applied pressure in the past to remove SQP drug category. This has been resisted in the UK. If

UK loses negotiating position then restriction may be applied across EU with minimal opposition. UK

may choose to mirror this regulation to facilitate access to drug markets.

There has also been pressure from EU countries to decouple the right to prescribe from the right to

dispense veterinary drugs. This is not in the current Veterinary Medical Products Proposal but could

change between now and new laws being implemented.

VMD response to Brexit – Currently business as usual until article 50 is triggered. Continues to

participate in meetings with EU regulators.

NOAH have stated post Brexit that they “would we do not want to miss the opportunity presented

by new veterinary medicines legislation with the benefits of reduced administrative burden and

stimulating investment and innovation in our sector. Indeed the prospect of an improved EU single

market can be a benefit whether we are in the EU or not. NOAH will be calling for the UK to mirror

EU regulations where possible – such as licensing procedures and product packaging – to avoid

barriers to trade or additional cost of complying with a dual UK:EU regulatory system.” 11

BVA position (2013) supports a harmonised approach on authorisation and distribution of veterinary

products across the EU and on harmonisation of data collection on drug sales/usage.

BVA position (2016) calls for the UK to retain access to veterinary medicines licensed in the EU and

for the veterinary medicines cascade to be maintained and, if possible, simplified.12

9 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Campaigns/eu-referendum-uk-veterinary-profession.pdf 10 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/BVA-principles-for-negotiating-Brexit.pdf 11 http://www.noah.co.uk/supporting-noah-members-brexit-negotiations-blog-ceo-dawn-howard/ 12 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/BVA-principles-for-negotiating-Brexit.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


5. Surveillance and biosecurity 5.1 Legislation

Future requirements for pet travel may change

Opportunity to introduce stricter controls e.g. tick treatment

5.2 Funding

EU typically provides up to 50% of national government cost for eradication, control and surveillance of animal diseases.

e.g. 50% of the funding for the UK’s Bovine TB eradication programme comes from EU. In

2014 the EU made the single largest allocation to a Member state’s animal disease

eradication programme (£25 million allocated) (Source – BVA briefing document “EU

referendum and UK vet profession”)

In 2011, over 1.4 million Euros were allocated to UK-based EU reference laboratories researching

major animal diseases including AHVLA, Pirbright Institute and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries

and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).

5.3 Collaboration:

BVA’s Veterinary Policy Group agreed that UK should be considered within the epidemiological unit

of Europe for disease control

EU Disease Eradication Task Force facilitated rapid action response to FMD outbreaks in 2001 and

2007





Twitter: @VetPolicy


6. Animal Welfare13 Around 80% of UK animal welfare legislation originates from the EU via 44 EU animal welfare laws

13 are directives and are therefore already implemented in UK legislation

31 are regulations/decisions which are currently directly applicable in UK law but may cease to apply

once the UK exits Europe.

Laws cover:

Farm animals (17 laws)

o rearing and production methods (5 laws)

o species specific laws for laying hens, veal calves, meat chickens and pigs

o consumer

information, such as mandatory labelling of the provenance of eggs and meat

o Rules on the live transport of animals

o Rules on killing and slaughtering of animals

Wildlife (11 laws)

o Prohibits import of wild-caught birds, ban on seal products, regulates hunting and

trapping wildlife (including ban on certain types of trap), bans use of driftnets for

fishing

Animals in research (9 laws)

o Breeding, husbandry, transport and use. Includes ban on cosmetic products testing

on animals

Companion animals (4 laws)

o Pet travel scheme and ban on import of products made from dog or cat fur

Some aspects of EU animal welfare law (particularly in relation to wildlife) ratify existing

international treaties of which the UK is a member. The UK will continue to be bound by these

treaties post-Brexit:

CITIES – Regulates trade in endangered species

International Whaling Commission – Limits commercial hunting of whales

OIE (World Animal Health Organisation) – 13 guidelines on animal welfare

Council of Europe Conventions – International transport, slaughter of farm animals, keeping

of farm animals, ‘protection’ of animals used in scientific procedures and the conservation of

European wildlife and natural habitats.

A sixth Convention “The Pet Convention” has not been ratified by the UK or EU.

BVA position is for there to be no dilution of existing animal welfare standards in the UK as a result

of Brexit and for the UK to seek opportunities to improve animal welfare, for example in relation to

the export/import of live animals, mandatory method of production labelling and the labelling of

non-stun slaughter.14

13 https://blogs.rspca.org.uk/insights/2016/07/07/brexit-animal-welfare/#.V-zWRPkrKUl 14 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/BVA-principles-for-negotiating-Brexit.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


7. Food and farming National Farmers Union did not actively campaign in the referendum but stated that on the balance

of existing evidence “the interest of farmers are best served by our continuing membership of the

European Union”

BVA position is that any public money used to replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

should be used to support and incentivise public goods encompassing at least animal health and

welfare, disease surveillance, biodiversity and environmental stewardship.15

The majority of food and non-alcoholic drink exports from the UK are currently traded with the EU

(Figure 2). This includes 38% of UK lamb production.16

FIGURE 2: UK FOOD AND DRINK EXPORTS 2004-1417

FIGURE 3: UK FOOD, DRINK AND FEED IMPORTS AND EXPORTS18

15 https://www.bva.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Content/News,_campaigns_and_policies/Policies/BVA-principles-for-negotiating-Brexit.pdf 16 http://www.nfuonline.com/assets/61993?u=wi8fbdrCqqOxx1M5dcGKqA 17 http://www.nfuonline.com/assets/61993?u=wi8fbdrCqqOxx1M5dcGKqA





Twitter: @VetPolicy


8. Research 7.1 Funding

FIGURE 4: GROSS AND NET UK CONTROBUTIONS TO EU ANNUAL BUDGET19

The net amount contributed annually by the UK to the EU budget is about £8 – 10 billion (Figure 4)

UK is one of the largest recipients of research funding in the EU and, although national contributions

to the EU budget are not itemised, analyses suggest that the UK receives a greater amount of EU

research funding than it contributes (Figure 5)

18 http://www.nfuonline.com/assets/61993?u=wi8fbdrCqqOxx1M5dcGKqA 19 HM Treasury: European Union Finances 2015: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/483344/EU_finances_2015_final_web_09122015.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


FIGURE 5: TOTAL EU CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE UK AND EU FUNDING TO THE UK 2007-1320

There are two major routes by which the EU directly funds research in the UK – Framework

Programme funding (e.g. Horizon 2020) and structural funds.

The UK is very successful in attracting Framework Programme funding. It was the second largest

recipient of Framework Programme funding (after Germany) in the last funding cycle (FP7: 2007-

2013) receiving almost 7 billion Euros. The majority of this funding (71%) was allocated to UK

universities.21

20 https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/projects/eu-uk-funding/uk-membership-of-eu.pdf 21 https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/projects/eu-uk-funding/uk-membership-of-eu.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


Source: EU membership and UK Science Report – House of Lords Science and Technology Committee

FIGU

RE 6: A

N A

TTEMP

T TO C

AP

TUR

E THE P

RIN

CIP

AL M

ECH

AN

ISMS ESTA

BLISH

ED B

Y THE EU

TO SU

PP

OR

T SCIEN

CE A

ND

RESEA

RC

H

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201516/ldselect/ldsctech/127/127.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


The UK receives relatively little structural funding, which is largely targeted at building capacity in

the least economically developed regions of the EU.

FIGURE 7: EU EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION 2007-1322

22 https://royalsociety.org/~/media/policy/projects/eu-uk-funding/uk-membership-of-eu.pdf





Twitter: @VetPolicy


The level of EU funding for research at UK universities increased in recent years while the level of

funding from the government science budget has decreased. In 2013/14 10% university research

income came from the EU.

FIGURE 8: RESEARCH FUNDING OF UK UNIVERSITIES23






Twitter: @VetPolicy


Framework Programme funding from the EU accounts for around 3% of total UK expenditure on UK

research and development (2007-2013)

FIGURE 9: UK EXPENDITURE ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY SOURCE OF FUNDING 2007-1324

7.2 Collaboration

House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee identified three main roles of the EU in

promoting collaboration:

1. Collaborative funding schemes and programmes

2. Researcher mobility due to freedom of movement

3. Facilitating and fostering participation in shared European research infrastructures

In practice, this enables research to take place into topics where there are difficulties in procuring

funding at national level (e.g. nuclear fusion) or into topics that would be difficult to research in this

country as the sample size is low (e.g. rare diseases).

Using the EU as a platform also helps simplify the process of developing multi-national collaborative

programmes with countries outside of the EU.


Brexit – Veterinary Fact File · PDF fileBrexit – Veterinary Fact File Updated 24th October 2016 Contents 1. EU legislation

Documents