RCVS President Handover
The future of the veterinary profession has changed hands to small animal specialist, Jerry Davies this month. During the college’s annual meeting on 1st July, Davies became the 136th college President. His predecessor Jinman, emphasised the job requires dealing with a contentious balance of keeping the public and veterinary professionals content, most especially when addressing the rising demands of the modern age. As with any governing body, Jinman admitted that sometimes there is a “mismatch between the instant world of the practising vet and that of the law…leading to misunderstandings on both sides.” Thus, from the college’s annual meeting and handover, the ultimate message appeared to be that practitioners and the college must work together.
Jinman poetically stated the ethos for all those the veterinary profession should be “Vis Unita Fortior” meaning; united, our strength is greater. Successor Davies strongly agreed and added the need for veterinarians to “check their own motives and earn the respect of the public.” He believes this can be achieved if Davies and all those in the profession focus on providing “a professional service” and not to worry so much about products.
Despite high hopes for the new presidency and the future of RCVS, some members were disappointed with the college’s annual meeting. Many concerns were not discussed such as how to manage the college’s costs in the current economic climate.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
