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RCVS Council Election 2019 results announced
Niall Connell (left), Jo Dyer (Bottom) and Linda Belton (top right) will be welcomed to Council at Royal College Day.

Record turnout saw more than 8,000 votes being cast

The results of the 2019 RCVS Council election have been announced.

Returning to the three available elected places are Niall Connell and Jo Dyer, with 3,766 votes and 3,146 votes respectively. They will be joined by Linda Belton, who received a total of 3,581 votes.

This year saw a record turnout with more than a quarter of the electorate voting. A sum of 8,234 votes were cast, 2,207 of which were by post and 6,027 of which were online.

The results of the election will be formally declared at this year’s Royal College Day – the College’s Annual General Meeting and awards ceremony - on Friday, 12 July.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for the election said: “Congratulations to Niall and Jo for being re-elected to Council and congratulations also to Linda who we look forward to welcoming to Council at this year’s Royal College Day on Friday 12 July.

“I would also like to thank Kate, Tim and Peter for their contributions during their time on Council and give my commiserations to them and the other candidates who were unsuccessful this year.
 
She continued: “I was delighted to see that, this year, we had over a quarter of those eligible to vote doing so which means both a record number of votes and a record turnout –it seems this was assisted by our email reminders which, each time they were sent out, lead to a significant boost in uptake.
 
“However, we will not rest on our laurels and will continue to think about how we can further improve engagement in the election process and turnout for subsequent years.”

In order of the number of votes, the results are:
   
    •    Niall Connell – 3,766 votes (re-elected)
    •    Linda Belton – 3,581 votes (elected)
    •    Jo Dyer – 3,146 votes (re-elected)
    •    John Innes – 2,716 votes
    •    Kate Richards – 2,283 votes
    •    Tim Greet – 2,280 votes
    •    Peter Robinson – 1,791 votes
    •    John Davies – 507 votes
    •    Tom Lonsdale – 422 votes

There was no election to Veterinary Nursing Council this year owing to the fact there were only two candidates – Liz Cox and Jane Davidson – standing for the two elected places. Liz and Jane will also take up their three-year terms at Royal College Day.

Image (C) RCVS

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

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 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.