The British Veterinary Association (BVA) believe that recognising and retaining the vital roles that vets play is pivotal to securing successful outcomes from Brexit.

The BVA president said that the role vets plan in animal health, animal welfare and public health is pivotal, at a roomful of key influencers at BVA's annual London Dinner in Westminster on February 7.

At the dinner the BVA president previewed a new campaign called 'I support team vet', due to launch the next day, which champions the value of veterinary surgeons, nurses and the wider veterinary team.

Gudrun Ravetz, BVA president, said: "The veterinary family - which is my focus as BVA president - is part of the international scientific community, and we are a diverse profession with far-reaching influence and impact in so many areas of political and public life.

"A healthy veterinary workforce is vital for UK animal and human health.

"The UK veterinary profession relies heavily on EU graduates, who have felt the impact of the EU referendum result since day one.

"In the meat hygiene sector alone, some estimates suggest 95 per cent of veterinary surgeons graduated overseas.

"That's why our first action after June 23 was to call on UK governments to protect the status of EU veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses currently living and working in the UK.

"It was encouraging to see some of these key priorities make it into the Prime Minister's list of negotiating priorities, but we have said from the outset that our members need certainty and reassurance, so we urge the Government to make that firm commitment now.

"We know vets remain nervous about the changes to come, with many of our members concerned about the threat Brexit poses for UK animal health and welfare, yet we can also see the opportunities Brexit presents, and BVA is determined to work with the Government to seize these opportunities, where they exist, to improve standards.

"The Welfare at Time of Killing or WATOK regulations for England are a case in point about the welfare-mismatch that could occur between domestic standards and those of our trading partners under the new Brexit agreements.

"By failing to bring in evidence-based parameters for all waterbath stunning of poultry, legislation has rendered it impossible for official veterinarians to protect the welfare of all chickens at slaughter.

"The regulations are simply not fit for purpose, and could call into question England's claim as a leader in high animal welfare.

"We were pleased to hear Defra secretary of state's vision to make the unique spelling points of UK PLC high animal welfare and food safety standards.

"It's a commitment that BVA fully backs, to ensure our high standards continue, it is essential that we maintain existing veterinary certification and controls to satisfy our own consumer demand for quality and safety.

"Official statistics put the value of UK livestock outputs at £13 billion and not a penny of that could be realised without veterinary input.

"We can only make a success of Brexit if we harness our veterinary resource in clinical practice, public health, government services, conservation, academia, research and industry.

"We are a small profession but our impact is significant."

Lord Gardiner of Kimble, the parliamentary under secretary of state for rural affairs and biosecurity, said: "Veterinary professionals across the UK do such crucial work helping to protect against the threat of disease, caring for our beloved pets and underpinning our food and farming industry.

“In my role at Defra I am continually reminded of the importance of the relationship between vets and government - most recently in tackling the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK.

"Your thoughts and ideas are invaluable as we manage the many opportunities and challenges posed by exiting the European Union, ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, protect the country from new animal disease threats, and attract the brightest and best into the profession.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely together as we push ahead with our plans to create a world leading food and farming industry based on high standards of animal health and welfare.”