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Dr Richard Stephenson resigns from RCVS Council
"We thank Richard for his service to the RCVS over the past year" - RCVS President, Mandisa Greene.
Professor Stephen May will take up the remainder of Richard's term

The RCVS has announced the resignation of RCVS Council member Richard Stephenson.

Dr Stephenson was elected onto Council in 2020, having previously served as an elected member from 2008 to 2016. 

In a press release, the RCVS said that Dr Richardson had resigned for personal reasons 'with immediate effect'. 

“We thank Richard for his service to the RCVS over the past year and in his previous terms,” commented RCVS President Mandisa Greene. “We particularly thank him for his contribution to a number of committees he has served on during both his periods on Council including the Disciplinary, Finance & Resources and Preliminary Investigation Committees. We wish him all the best for the future.” 

Professor Stephen May will take up the remainder of Richard's term on Council to July 2024, as he received the next largest amount of votes in the 2020 RCVS Council election.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.