BVA president Daniella Dos Santos is calling on the government to provide urgent clarity on the arrangements for the movement of animals and animal products after the Brexit transition period.

The call comes as UK and EU officials meet in Brussels for the seventh round of trade negotiations. Ms Dos Santos warns that preparations for veterinary checks cannot begin until the UK and EU have reached an agreement.

Concerns about the UK's preparedness for a no-deal Brexit were previously raised by the BVA ahead of the signing of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Ms Dos Santos said: “As we enter the next round of negotiations we simply can’t know if the veterinary profession is ready for EU Exit, because we don’t yet know what level of veterinary checks on imports and exports will be required.

“Veterinary certification is an essential part of trade. It ensures consumer confidence in products by protecting animal health and welfare and public health. If we don’t have enough vets with the right qualifications in the right places, it could have a significant impact on UK industry.”

She added: “We remain concerned that if the UK cannot reach an agreement with the EU, we won’t have the capacity to meet the increased demand for veterinary certification. A huge amount is at stake and we need urgent clarity to give our sector time to prepare.”