| Biography | RCVS Election Results |
Letter of thanks |
1972–80 Employed veterinarian
1981–97 Principal, small animal practice,
1991–06 Peer-reviewed and other articles exposing pet-food scam
1993 Preventative Dentistry in Veterinary Dentistry,
1993 Feeding vs Nutrition: Have we lost the plot in small animal dietetics? AVP 23(1)
1994 Cybernetic Hypothesis of Periodontal Disease in Mammalian Carnivores, J Vet Dent 11:1
1995 Periodontal Disease and Leucopenia, JSAP 36, 542–546
1996 Website: www.rawmeatybones.com
1997–06 Candidate RCVS elections
2001 Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health
(Peer-reviewed and nominated for ACVSc award)
2005 Work Wonders: Feed your dog raw meaty bones
Manifesto
In December 2004 a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) stated:
That this House deeply regrets the professional endorsement of processed food for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets by some members of the veterinary profession; is concerned at the level of incidence of malodorous gum disease . . . applauds and recommends the work of veterinary surgeon Tom Lonsdale and others . . . and calls upon the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to make a definitive statement on the active endorsement and promotion of processed pet foods by vets.
The RCVS neither facilitated debate nor addressed the issues. Acting behind the scenes and relying on Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA) propaganda the RCVS sought to dismiss MP’s concerns.
In October 2005 the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and PFMA in a ‘Policy Brief’ attacked the Raw Meaty Bones Lobby. The BVA/PFMA document asserted that there is ‘an ongoing debate within the veterinary profession’ when in fact debate is censored and suppressed.
The BVA/PFMA document makes absurd claims: ‘Some commercial pet foods have been designed to satisfy the requirements of specific breeds’ that ‘dogs are omnivorous animals’ and that ‘there is no scientific evidence base to support the benefits of feeding raw meat and bones’.
Clearly the veterinary leadership, in alliance with junk pet-food makers, fails to meet basic standards. Instead of investigating and resolving serious issues the veterinary leadership itself now needs to be investigated.
In November 2005 MPs tabled a second Early Day Motion:
That this House notes the controversy surrounding the promotion and sale of processed pet foods by veterinary surgeons; acknowledges the evidence and analysis in the book Raw Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale; commends the UK Raw Meaty Bones Group's public awareness campaign; and calls for a wide ranging inquiry into that group's serious concerns relating to human and pet health, the economy and the environment and the adequacy of the current veterinary regulatory system to investigate these issues.
It’s time to clean-up the veterinary profession, stave-off public humiliation and restore honour. Please, I urge you; tell your MP that you do not endorse the veterinary/pet-food industry alliance and that you welcome a full inquiry.
For the health of pets, pet owners, veterinary profession and the wider community, let your voice be heard. Please join the UKRMB Group www.ukrmb.co.uk and please give me your vote. Thank you.
Tom Lonsdale
NSW 2756
Tel: +61 2 4574 0537
Fax: +61 2 4578 1384
Email: tom@rawmeatybones.com
The late Oliver Graham-Jones FRCVS, past-President of BSAVA, nominated Tom Lonsdale for election to the RCVS. It is an honour for me to continue that tradition.
Tom contends that our profession has accepted processed pet foods as normal, when in fact these are harmful to our pet carnivores. He calls for a re-assessment of this attitude, leading to discussion, scientific investigation and informed debate. The medical and dental professions seem able to accommodate re-examination of their outmoded beliefs. I hope the same is true for the veterinary profession and that you will cast your vote in his support. Thank you.
William Miller MRCVS
The RCVS receives an unreasonable complaint and the vet is subjected to the full force of a disciplinary enquiry. In repeated RCVS elections about 10% of voters have called into question the widespread veterinary promotion of junk pet food, calling for a RCVS-led investigation. The RCVS refuses and thereby endorses the junk pet-food manufacturers. Other professional association statements match PFMA briefs almost word for word. Does the veterinary profession retain any independence and objectivity? Is a profession that refuses to investigate allegations by vets of widespread malpractice within the profession fit to self-regulate? Stop the rot – vote for Tom Lonsdale.
Roger Meacock MRCVS