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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th October 2015
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

Defra consults on RCVS governance reform
RCVS Council at meeting in Edinburgh in June 2015
Defra is seeking views on changing the structure and size of the RCVS Council.

Views sought on council restructure
 
Defra has launched a consultation on changing the governance of the RCVS. Members of the veterinary profession and the general public are being asked to share their views on plans to restructure the RCVS Council.

The council currently consists of 42 members who meet three times a year, in March, June and November.

It is proposed that the number of meetings per year should be increased and the council's size reduced significantly - by a minimum of 25 per cent.

The consultation also seeks opinions on whether veterinary nurses should be represented on council; whether the number of vet school members should be reduced and whether there should be statutory positions for lay members.

As well as seeking views on the structure of council, the consultation asks how council members should be appointed or elected, whether the terms of office should change and if there should be a system in place for removing council members for poor conduct or behaviour.

In recent years, a number of issues have been raised about the college's governance arrangements. In 2008, a report by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee recommended a restructure.

The RCVS itself held a consultation with the profession the following year, but it was agreed that any reform of the council should wait until new disciplinary arrangements had 'bedded in'. In July of this year, the preliminary investigation committee and the disciplinary committee split from council.

A report by the college in 2012 found its governance to be out of step with that of other royal colleges and regulators, prompting discussions on how the RCVS could modernise its governance structure and improve efficiency.

The consultation closes on 24 December, 2015. It is expected that any changes to the RCVS Council will be implemented in late 2016/early 2017.

For full details or to respond to the consultation, visit: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/veterinary-services/rcvs_council_reform

Image (c) RCVS

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

Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk