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Cattle vet elected as RCVS junior vice-president
Prof Barrett is from a dairy farming background in the southwest of England.
David Barrett will take up the role at RCVS’ Annual General Meeting.

David Barrett, a cattle health specialist, has been elected as the next junior vice-president for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

He will begin his term, alongside incoming president Tim Hutchinson and senior vice-president Tim Parkin, at RCVS’ Annual General Meeting on Friday, 3 July 2026.

Prof Barrett is from a dairy farming background in the southwest of England, before earning an intercalated BSc in Anatomical Sciences and a BVSc from the University of Bristol. He then entered a mixed veterinary practice in North Wales.

Following the completion of his initial postgraduate training, he gained a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction and a Diploma in Cattle Health and Production.

In 2003, Prof Barrett helped establish the European College of Bovine Health Management (ECBHM), transforming postgraduate clinical training across Europe. He has served as president of the ECBHM, before returning to the University of Bristol in 2011 to rebuild the farm animal teaching and research group.

He also served on the Board of the British Cattle Veterinary Association for 17 years, including as the president (2018–19), and is an associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB).

Prof Barrett: “It is a great honour to be elected to this position by my fellow RCVS Council members, and I look forward to working with them, VN Council members and RCVS staff.

“As junior vice-president I will bring experience, judgement, and a collaborative, person-centred approach to Council, supporting thriving professionals, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, maintaining the highest standards, and ensuring the College regulates transparently and responsibly delivering leadership the professions and public can trust now and into the future.”

Prof Barrett was elected as junior vice-president at a meeting of the RCVS Council on Thursday, 12 March 2026. He will serve as junior vice-president from 2026 until 2027, before becoming RCVS president in July 2027.

Image © RCVS

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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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.