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homeopathy but it is not reasonable to expect us to do so, effectively accused of quackery and charlatanism, through wrongful process and misinformation.
Members of the public, including Rachel Roberts (HRI) met with the RCVS on 9th May and expressed their concerns.
They posed many questions which the RCVS appears to be unable to answer or unwilling to answer. The delegation is not taking this quietly, and is writing more forcibly, demanding answers. No doubt we shall eventually hear the fruits of this work.
David Tredinnick MP has been very supportive of our campaign and managed to arrange an adjournment debate on veterinary homeopathy and made provision for the Secretary of State (George Eustice) to have time for full reply. This produced some remarks and statements that can be taken as positive for our cause. Accordingly, we have amended the BAHVS Position Statement to incorporate these comments and to take guidance from them. I urge all to visit our website and to read the new Position Statement.
There have been no developments as yet with regard to the BVA’s planned Position Statement but we have been promised full consultation prior to publication of any statement on homeopathy. Clearly, matters have to be
debated and progress depends upon intervals between Council and other meetings.
There are plans for a joint working party, between the BAHVS and the CAM4Animals campaigners, in order to ensure that there is as much coordination of effort as can be arranged. We have a common aim: the maintenance and improvement of veterinary homeopathic services in the UK. However, the particular aims and requirements of the BAHVS are somewhat different from those of our supporters. We are ‘regulated’ by the RCVS and have to, at some point, establish a working
relationship with that body.
Looking forward with a lighter heart, we are seeking to arrange further local meetings, along the lines of that organised by Barbara Jones in Shropshire [see p11 of this mag]. Geoff Johnson is considering dates for something in his region, as the next in the series.
We also have the Faculty Congress in Liverpool on the agenda for the Autumn, the veterinary programme for which is organised by Geoff Johnson. I hope that as many of you as possible will put in an appearance and show your support.
A team has performed sterling work in producing email circulars (“Cutting Edge”) to a significant proportion of the vets in the UK, including RCVS Council members, stating the scientific aspect of many common veterinary activities, procedures and regimens. These explain points of view, which are not necessarily in line with the ‘norm’ and bring into focus matters which are not mainstream but are nonetheless of crucial importance if the profession is to aspire to a scientific approach. These articles have been absolutely free from commercial or other vested interest, a rare commodity in this day and age. Since the UK has implemented the GDPR in the Data Protection Act 2018, this email service has to cease but the initiative will continue in different form. [We intend to publish them all on the website under their own heading – ed]
We are now holding Committee Meetings on the first Thursday of each month, unless this clashes with other important events. If you have matters that you would like to bring to the Committee’s attention, please contact Stuart Marston (Hon. Sec.). I wholeheartedly thank all the committee members for their hard work, dedication and support.
In summary, we are not much further forward than we were a few months ago, with regard to the RCVS but our position is beyond doubt and abundantly clear to them, which it may not have been before. The November Position Statement has raised issues of conscience and rectitude of unprecedented proportions in the history of the RCVS. We have each been asked to swear an oath on joining the
The delegation is not taking this quietly, and is writing more forcibly, demanding answers.
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Rachel Roberts
David Tredinnik, MP