The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on political parties to sign up to key pledges to enhance animal health and welfare, and support the veterinary profession, ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections next month (May 5).

It has published a manifesto, comprising 11 pledges, to which it is asking all political parties to adopt.

They are:

Launching the manifesto, BVA Northern Ireland branch president Fiona McFarland said:

“In this manifesto, we have laid out the priority areas for the Northern Ireland veterinary profession. The manifesto draws together the most pressing issues which matter to our members.

"We ensure that animal health and welfare is of the highest standard and by working in partnership with farmers and government we can provide a safe and sustainable food chain.

“We would like to see candidates from all parties listen and commit to taking action on these key issues in Northern Ireland.”

As well as asking all political parties to adopt the pledges in the manifesto, BVA is calling on its members across Northern Ireland to write to their Assembly candidates to ask them to commit to taking action on these priority issues if they are elected.