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RCVS elects new junior vice-president
Image: Current president Melissa Donald (left) shakes hands with Linda Belton (right)

Linda Belton MRCVS gets title after June 2023 meeting.

Linda Belton MRCVS has been named as the new junior vice-president of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) following its June 2023 meeting.

The council meeting was held on Thursday, 8 June, at the Royal College of Nursing in London.

The role had been vacant since the former junior vice-president, Sue Patterson, was elected to the position of RCVS president.

At the time, no candidates had been nominated for the role.

Linda Belton, an equine veterinary surgeon and director for an independent practice in Wiltshire, was first elected to the council in 2019 and was re-elected in 2023.

She is a member of the British Equine Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Association and the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons. She is also a trustee for Brooke, an international equine animal welfare charity.

Dr Belton said: “Having recently been re-elected to council for another term by fellow members of our profession, I am really looking forward to joining the Officer Team in my role as junior vice-president and I thank my colleagues on council for their endorsement and support.

“Since joining council four years ago, I have learned a lot – one of the difficulties I have observed is the tension of our profession having a Royal College which regulates. Wearing two hats is never easy, and being both our leadership body and our regulator can position the college in a difficult place in the eyes of its members. There are, however, advantages for us as a profession in being self-regulating.

“As junior vice-president, I look forward to increasing council’s direct contact with vets working in first-opinion practice. Working as part of a large independently owned practice, I am aware of many of the day-to-day issues currently facing the different species sectors. I understand what it takes to be a good workplace delivering veterinary care in a commercial environment and want, through my contribution to council and the governance and regulation of our profession, to support others to have a successful and fulfilling career in practice.”

Image (C) RCVS

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Webinar to explore history of KC breed registers

News Story 1
 A free webinar exploring the development of the Kennel Club's registration system and the evolution of closed breed registers has been announced.

Hosted by Dr Alison Skipper, veterinary and research advisor at the Kennel Club, the webinar will delve into the development of the registry and how the changing landscape of scientific knowledge has shaped breeding practices. It will also look at what this means for the future of pedigree dogs.

The session will culminate with a look at The Kennel Club's ongoing and future engagement in this area, with a chance for attendees to put forward their thoughts and questions for discussion.

This event takes place on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 10 June at 7pm. To learn more, visit events.teams.microsoft.com  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.