Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Animal Health Board reaches quorum
Chairman Michael Seals MBE
Final two members of AHWBE announced

Body text The final two members of the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England (AHWBE) have been announced. The Board will be responsible for providing Ministers with advice, and Chairman Michael Seals MBE has declared that the now-complete Board is formed of ‘excellent people who know the industry well and are already making a positive contribution’. They will attend their first meeting of the Board on February 7th 2012.

The new additions are Richard Davis, an arable and dairy farmer from North Bedfordshire, and Jonathan Rushton, an economist and senior lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). They join the aforementioned Mr Seals, Chairman of the National Pig Association Stewart Houston, Director of the British Horseracing Authority Professor Tim Morris, Director of Anglo Beef Processor Stuart Roberts and farmer Mark Tufnell. Six senior DEFRA animal health officials will also be on the Board.

About Richard Davis

Mr Davis farms 104 hectares in North Bedfordshire with 70 head of young stock and 110 pedigree Holstein Friesian cows. He is a farmer director of First Milk., vice chairman of DairyCo and a member of the NFU dairy board. He is a Privy Council Lay Member at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), and has been a member of both the English Cattle Health and Welfare Group and the Compassion in World Farming/RSPCA Calf Export Forum.

About Jonathan Rushton

Mr Rushton is an agricultural economist who grew up living and working on the family dairy farm, thus informing his interest in the economics of animal health and livestock production with practical experience. He is a senior lecturer and researcher in animal health economics at the Royal Veterinary College, and a member of the Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health. He also worked at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization during the global avian influenza outbreak in 2006. He is currently providing advice to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)/FAO/World Bank Working Group on foot-and-mouth disease.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

RCVS announces 1CPD app update

News Story 1
 The RCVS has announced a new version of its 1CPD mobile app, with enhanced features for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses to record their continuing professional development.

The mobile app includes a new 'what would you like to do?' shortcut for frequent tasks, a notification badge, and the ability to scan a QR code from the home screen to easily record an activity.

Users will be prompted to update the app from the App Store or Google Play the next time they log in. For more information, visit RCVS.org.uk 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.