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RCVS and VN Councils’ 2025 elections open for nominations
The elections will take place under the newly-amended RCVS Election Scheme.
Nominations must be made by 31 January 2025.

The nominations for the 2025 elections for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council have officially opened.

Veterinary surgeons and nurses now have until 5pm on Friday, 31 January to submit their nomination forms to stand as election candidates. There are four elected veterinary surgeon places available on the RCVS Council and two elected veterinary nurse places available on the VN Council.

The elections will take place under the newly-amended RCVS Election Scheme, recently approved by the Privy Council. It will allow the college more flexibility in how it runs elections, and in the information it requests from candidates.

The college has also updated its downloadable information packs for prospective candidates for each election.

Each information pack sets out details on the roles of the members and the candidate nomination process. They also contain the nomination and information forms necessary for submission.

The RCVS Council is responsible for the governance of the veterinary profession, with its members involved with approving major policy decisions affecting the regulation and advancement of the profession. It also approves strategic and financial plans, as well as annual budgets.

Members sit on various committees and sub-committees relating to standards, education, registration, finance and the advancement of the professions, in addition to any ad hoc groups.

The VN Council represents the veterinary nursing sector, examining matters relating to education, training standards, post-qualification awards and the registration of new RVNs.

It has oversight over the joint British Veterinary Nursing Association and RCVS VN Futures project. Members may also be asked to sit on the VN Education Committee and other RCVS committees, sub-committees and ad hoc groups.

Candidates for each election will need to provide a biography (maximum 200 words) as well as a candidate statement (maximum 200 words).

Veterinary surgeons who are interested in standing for RCVS Council should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council secretary, on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk for more information. Candidates for the VN Council election should contact Annette Amato, VN Council secretary, on a.amato@rcvs.org.uk for details about their election.

The candidate information packs for each election can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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...
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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.