• 89% vets want to play a more active role in the UK sustainability agenda [1]

• Now vets in farm animal practice can access a new resource designed to inform and inspire their teams to integrate conversations around sustainable farming into their everyday work

Vet Sustain is a UK-based social enterprise working to enable and inspire veterinary professionals to continually improve the health and wellbeing of animals, people and the environment. They produce tools, training and communications for veterinary professionals centred around their six Veterinary Sustainability Goals (SDGs), aligned with the UN’s SDGs.

An Introduction to Sustainability in Farm Vet Practice is the first resource produced by the Vet Sustain Food and Farming working group in collaboration with international veterinary network Vet Salus, and represents an important first step in demonstrating the essential role that sustainable farming systems, and therefore veterinary advice and support, play in tackling the climate crisis. By championing the steps already being taken by vets in practice, this document shows that integrating conversations about sustainability into our dialogue with farmers is much more achievable than many vets think.

Dr David Black BVM&S DVetMed DBR FRCVS, Director at Vet Sustain, says:

“Veterinary professionals are critical to sustainable food production, and this new series of case studies highlights the many ways in which farm vets are already promoting the environmental benefits of responsible livestock production.

Vet Sustain is delighted to have brought together a group of passionate veterinary practitioners committed to using their shared knowledge and influence to continue driving change both in their practices and as advocates within the community”.

David Black, a Director of Vet Sustain and member of the Food & Farming working group. Photo credit: Paragon Veterinary Group.

Covering topics such as the environmental impact of antimicrobials, sustainable pig farming, flock health planning, dung beetle management and much more, this document provides veterinary professionals with practical examples underlining the significant influence of farm vets in driving sustainability in food production in their everyday work.

Alex Tomlinson MA Vet MB MSc PhD Dip ECZM (Wildlife Population Health) MRCVS, Chair of Vet Sustain’s Food and Farming Working Group, says:

“This document demonstrates that a progressive health strategy for animal health and welfare can have reciprocal benefits for the environment.

We hope that these case studies will give farm vets the confidence to align the goals of healthcare plans with sustainable farm practices.”

Further case study series are planned, and if any vets would like to contribute a report detailing how they have incorporated sustainability into their practice they can contact Vet Sustain by emailing [email protected].

Reference

[1] British Veterinary Association (2019) Vets are central to the sustainability agenda, says BVA. [online] Retrieved from: https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/news-article/vets-are-central-to-the-sustainability-agenda-says-bva/ [Accessed 24 May 21]