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Nominations for RCVS and VN Councils elections open
The nomination deadline is Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 5.00pm.
Elected members will contribute to key industry decisions.

The nomination period for the 2024 Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Council and Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council elections has opened.

Veterinary surgeons and nurses who wish to become members of a council will have until 5.00pm on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 to enter themselves as candidates.

There are three elected veterinary surgeon places available in the RCVS Council, and two elected veterinary nurse places in the VN Council.

RCVS Council acts as the governing body of the College, and is responsible for the regulation and advancement of veterinary professions. Members elected to the RCVS Council approve major policy decisions, strategic and financial plans and annual budgets.

RCVS Council members may also be asked to sit on committees, sub-committees and ad-hoc working groups for topics such as standards, education, registration, finance and profession advancement.

Members of the VN Council are responsible for veterinary nurse education and training standards, including post-qualification awards and the registration of qualified veterinary nurses.

VN Council also has oversight over the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) and RCVS VN Futures project, so members may be asked to sit on the VN Education committee and other committees, sub-committees and ad hoc working groups.

The RCVS has produced downloadable information packs for candidates to the RCVS Council or VN Council elections, which provide information about the responsibilities of each council member and the nomination process.

The packs also include the candidate nomination and information forms.

The RCVS has noted that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are currently approving amendments to the RCVS Council election scheme. Though there may be some minor changes to the nomination process, this will not affect nominations already submitted.

Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS registrar and returning officer for both elections, said: “RCVS-registered veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses of all backgrounds, at all career stages, and with all levels of experience are eligible to stand in their respective elections.

“So, if you want to help shape the future of veterinary regulation and our Royal College initiatives and activities, please consider standing in next year’s elections.”

Veterinary surgeons interested in joining RCVS Council should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council secretary, at d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk.

Veterinary nurses interested in joining VN Council should contact Annette Amato, VN Council secretary, at a.amato@rcvs.org.uk.

Image © Shutterstock

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.