European perspective for RCVS Council
Image: Paul Torgerson
Hoping to bring valuable contributions on European veterinary issues, RCVS Council candidate Paul Torgerson intends to bring "outsider" expertise to the UK.
Though Dr Torgerson is British, he has spent most of his career in veterinary academia outside the UK. Having never been part the UK vet schools, and now living in Switzerland, he can bring a European perspective to the council.
"I have at least the same level of experience and expertise as the leaders of the [UK vet] schools and I can bring this experience to council," he said.
"I can look more dispassionately at issues challenging the UK vet profession as well as make contributions on European issues."
Dr Torgerson explained that there are challenges facing the profession, such as the opening of new vet schools and the free movement of European vets, who can potentially compete in the UK job market. In his position as a British vet living outside the UK, he can see the appeal.
"From my experiences of veterinary education internationally, UK vets are among the best," he explained. "By maintaining this high standard, it provides UK vets with the greatest opportunities."
Regarding the RCVS becoming a first-rate regulator, Dr Torgerson says scientific-based evidence should be used, and provisions for the application of evidence-based medicine should become part of the code of professional conduct.
"As a regulator, the RCVS is responsible for the protection of the public and their animals," he commented, adding that he would support the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) in principal, if it could be run cost-effectively.
"Practices with good clinical standards need not fear such a scheme."
Reiterating the views of some of the other candidates when it comes to communication, Dr Torgerson believes the RCVS must make better use of the electronic media available, explaining that it is both cheap and fast.
He added that, regarding the veterinary responsibility towards antimicrobial resistance, clinicians should restrict their use to clinical cases that have a firm indication of need.
"Resistant bacteria are not host-specific and we have a duty to protect public health so we should not engage in clinical practices that might promote the antimicrobial resistance," he explained.
Dr Torgerson is keen to get his views across regarding the impending badger cull. While the BVA supports the government's policy, Dr Torgerson believes this gives the impression that the veterinary profession is collectively pro cull.
If elected, Dr Torgerson wishes to challenge that the cull will make a meaningful contribution to the control of Bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Meanwhile, he believes his European background could be of great benefit to the RCVS council.
"If [RCVS members] wish to see an expert with considerable international experience, especially in education and public health, on the council then they should vote for me."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
