National Veterinary Association
A preceding organisation started out as the National Veterinary Association in 1882, after the first ever British National Veterinary Congress in July, 1881. A vet, George Banham, had suggested the idea of a national veterinary association. George Fleming, the principal vet to the Armed Forces, was the first elected president. The association was open to any vet, no matter which country they were from, on the payment of half a guinea. Other previous veterinary associations still co-existed though. It had an informal organisation and meetings across the country were arranged on an ad hoc basis. This style of organisation did not suit many vets, because they wanted an organisation, where they could discuss matters which did not or could not be discussed by the RCVS. In 1909, at a meeting of the Scottish Metropolitan Veterinary Association, Professor Orlando Charnock Bradley of the Edinburgh Veterinary College, called for a 'one single British veterinary association.' The idea was generally accepted, but the First World War proved to be a hindrance.
National Veterinary Medical Association
At a meeting on 31 October, 1919, the National Veterinary Medical Association was formed. Orlando Charnock Bradley became this association's first president. The co-existent veterinary associations no longer continued. The NVMA became a coherent regulated organisation and started to achieve things for vets, the country, and at large, the world. It has profoundly helped animal welfare and food production.
In 1952, it became the BVA.
In 1984, it founded the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation.
