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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th January 2013
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Reconstitution for RCVS disciplinary committees
Reform order approved for Veterinary Surgeons Act

A Legislative Reform Order (LRO) has been approved to amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, in order to update the disciplinary system for vets.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) disciplinary committees are now to be reconstituted and separated from its council, following finalisation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Minister.

From April 6, 2013, RCVS Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees must be made up of veterinary surgeons and lay members who are not members of the RCVS Council. The changes come after extensive consultations between Defra and the RCVS.

During parliamentary scrutiny of the LRO, which will amend part one of schedule two of the 1966 Act, the aim was to improve how the RCVS regulates the profession and ensure independence of those who adjudicate on complaints in the profession.

The first external members will join the Disciplinary and Preliminary Investigation Committees from July and, after a two-year transition period, council members will be phased out of the committees.

“I am delighted the LRO has been made and I am immensely thankful for the hard work of the Defra team and my colleagues in the college," said the president of the RCVS, Jacqui Molyneux.

"The LRO is the single biggest reform to the regulation of veterinary surgeons since the 1966 Act, and it will bring the RCVS in line with regulatory best practice and improve the perception of the independence of the RCVS disciplinary processes.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.