Statement following meeting with BAHVS

We were pleased that representatives of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons and Faculty of Homeopathy and their supporters accepted our invitation to meet on the afternoon of Monday 16 April 2018, where we listened to their views on the subject of complementary medicines and received a number of testimonials describing homeopathic treatments.

Following the meeting we have agreed to reiterate to the BAHVS what is considered to be a recognised evidence base / sound scientific principles, so that they can supply whatever evidence they consider relevant to substantiate their views, as members of the veterinary profession, on the appropriateness of homeopathy as a treatment for animals.

We acknowledge the strength of feeling amongst some animal owners over RCVS Council’s position statement on the veterinary use of complementary and alternative medicines last November. However, we would like to reiterate that this position statement does not constitute a ban, as some people believe.

We are not preventing veterinary surgeons from treating animals with complementary therapies, like homeopathy, but we do expect any treatments that are not underpinned by a recognised evidence base, or sound scientific principles, to be offered alongside, or complementary to, those treatments that are.

We believe it is vital to protect the welfare of animals committed to the care of the veterinary profession and the public’s confidence in the profession that any treatments not underpinned by a recognised evidence base or sound scientific principles do not delay or replace those that do.