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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 5th February 2019
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Welsh vets offered training to provide EHCs after Brexit
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, there will be a significant increase in the need for vets who can carry out certification.
Government allocates funding to prepare for EU exit with no deal 

Veterinary surgeons in Wales are being given training to provide Export Health Certificates (EHCs) in case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

The Welsh Government allocated £96,000 of the £50 million EU transition fund to support the need for Export Health Certification and encourage vets to undertake training.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, EHCs will be required to export produce of animal origin to EU countries, prompting a significant increase in the need for vets who are able to carry out certification.

Usually, the necessary training is paid for by the veterinary surgeon undertaking the course, but the Welsh Government is hoping to provide an incentive for more vets.

A new scheme is supporting training for a minimum of 80 vets across Wales. More vets are expected to sign up before training completes at the end of February. The scheme will be administered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, in collaboration with delivery partners lechyd Da and Menter a Busnes.

Lesley Griffiths, Welsh minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, said: “It is possible– if a no deal is taken off the table this extra capacity will not be required but we must prepare for all eventualities.  However, the training would not have been wasted as the skills are transferable and would strengthen the important certification role of the veterinary profession in Wales."

She added: “We have always been clear a no deal Brexit is not an option for Wales’ food industry. Crashing out of the European Union could decimate economies and must be avoided at all costs. Our preference would be a ‘softer’ Brexit – one that allows us to stay in a customs union and a single market.

“With no new ideas and red lines firmly still in place, the UK Government is simply running down the clock in a vain hope that their deal will pass. They must take decisive action now and act on the majority will of Parliament to rule out no deal.”

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."