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Defra consults on RCVS governance reform
RCVS Council at meeting in Edinburgh in June 2015
Defra is seeking views on changing the structure and size of the RCVS Council.

Views sought on council restructure
 
Defra has launched a consultation on changing the governance of the RCVS. Members of the veterinary profession and the general public are being asked to share their views on plans to restructure the RCVS Council.

The council currently consists of 42 members who meet three times a year, in March, June and November.

It is proposed that the number of meetings per year should be increased and the council's size reduced significantly - by a minimum of 25 per cent.

The consultation also seeks opinions on whether veterinary nurses should be represented on council; whether the number of vet school members should be reduced and whether there should be statutory positions for lay members.

As well as seeking views on the structure of council, the consultation asks how council members should be appointed or elected, whether the terms of office should change and if there should be a system in place for removing council members for poor conduct or behaviour.

In recent years, a number of issues have been raised about the college's governance arrangements. In 2008, a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee recommended a restructure.

The RCVS itself held a consultation with the profession the following year, but it was agreed that any reform of the council should wait until new disciplinary arrangements had 'bedded in'. In July of this year, the preliminary investigation committee and the disciplinary committee split from council.

A report by the college in 2012 found its governance to be out of step with that of other royal colleges and regulators, prompting discussions on how the RCVS could modernise its governance structure and improve efficiency.

The consultation closes on 24 December, 2015. It is expected that any changes to the RCVS Council will be implemented in late 2016/early 2017.

For full details or to respond to the consultation, visit: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/veterinary-services/rcvs_council_reform

Image (c) RCVS

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.