Voters heading to the polls in next month’s Senedd election are being urged to consider how political parties are addressing animal welfare and the veterinary workforce in Wales.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has published a new toolkit designed to help the public assess where the main parties stand on key issues affecting animal health, farming and public health.

The resource accompanies the BVA’s manifesto for 2026–2031, which sets out priorities for the next Welsh Government. Among its central calls is a focus on ensuring the forthcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) supports high standards of animal health and welfare. According to a recent survey by the association, 59 per cent of vets in Wales believe this should be one of the most urgent priorities.

The BVA is also highlighting concerns about workforce pressures, particularly in rural areas. Its survey found 53 per cent of vets want the next government to strengthen the profession by supporting job creation and making veterinary expertise central to animal health policy delivery.

The toolkit compares party manifestos against these and other areas, including tighter regulation of animal licensing, action to tackle bovine tuberculosis, and improved disease control measures such as the eradication of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea. It also calls for continued support for programmes aimed at reducing antibiotic use and tackling resistance.

BVA Welsh Branch President Phoebe McCarter said: “Our manifesto highlights the key animal welfare and workforce issues that matter most to our members across the Welsh veterinary community,” she said.

“We hope that this toolkit will help those who want to consider these issues when voting next month to see how the manifestos of the major parties align with BVA’s key asks for Wales.”

The toolkit can be found online via the BVA website: www.bva.co.uk/welsh-branch