Guest guest Posted April 7, 2008 Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 Are you aware that the British Veterinary Surgeons Act is currently under review? At present, by strict interpretation, homoeopathy given to animals by anyone other than a vet or an owner is illegal, no matter how well qualified the practitioner, (though an unqualified vet may give a homoeopathic remedy). In actual practice this is a grey area as so few vets are qualified in homoeopathy (about 250) and so many owners demanding homoeopathic or other alternative treatment (65% reported 2 years ago in a Vet magazine). There is a parliamentary committee looking into updating the Vet Surgeons Act (last done 1967) and they are inviting information and comment. At present the rationale for excluding homoeopathy is that an animal cannot chose and must therefore be given the best treatment available. An interesting concept of judgement (conventional is best, even where there is no treatment and the animal is to be culled?) and one which can similarly be applied to babies and probably with a bit of thought, to children, volatile teenagers, the elderly and so on. The homoeopathic vets face vicious attack (vets against voodoo web site) from their own profession and I am told that to influence the new Act into at least specifically including homoeopathy, with a breadth including suitably qualified lay practitioners, will need to come from owners. As you see my remit is the farming community, who are finding it more and more difficult to obtain veterinary services of any kind in most areas of UK. I am trying to make as many of them as possible aware of what this opportunity is and hoping they will take action and visit the website to take part in the consultation. However, the volume of animal owners is in the companion animal sphere. It would be brilliant if you could alert pet owners to the debate, of the option and the opposition and of the power of their individual efforts. Letters to MPs and to DEFRA (especially those asking a question and therefore needing a reply!!) are actually noted and that it is surprising how few are needed to have an effect. More oral and written presentations are now, officially, not accepted but letters to the Committee and to one's MP saying that the owner has used homoeopathy; has found it to help the problem; that they would like to have the freedom to chose the type of treatment for their own animals; that the veterinary profession is not able to offer this service; that homoeopathy be specifically included within the remit of the Act and lay professionals should be able to treat animals. This groundswell could not be ignored, especially if enough are received. If you are able to disseminate this information widely it might help the cause. The website to visit is http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/VideoPlayer.aspx?meetingId=1246 http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environment__food_and_rural_affairs/efra_veterinarysurgeons.cfm As far as I can see:- Very few persons other than the veterinary profession have been aware of this discussion. The discussion seems to have included only the views of the professional delivering the service, not the views of the needs and preferences of those paying for these services. No one appears to have made a presentation on behalf the homoeopathic treatment of animals at all. I would suggest that actually there is a need for professional homoeopaths to be further additionally licensed to treat animals if they wish and with some short induction training.. Chris Lees Homoeopathy at Wellie Level www.hawl.co.uk Church Cottage, Alderton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6NL Tel/fax 01666 841213. Mob 07813 945644. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.