Veterinary Surgeons Act

There is growing debate within the veterinary profession about whether the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act requires modernising – on this page we give you an update.

Background

The question of whether the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 continues to provide an adequate means of regulating the profession was the subject of a recent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRACom) Enquiry in 2007.
RCVS also ran a consultation in 2009 on their proposed views and much discussion has taken place since then
Much of the pressure for a new Act has been removed as RCVS have been advised they have more scope under their Charter and the current Act than initially thought, a Legislative Reform Order is currently being drafted (which separates the regulation setting and disciplinary procedures), and there is potential to make amendments to the existing Act under Section 60 of the Health Act 1999.

BVA’s position

The current BVA position is in line with the submission to the EFRACom enquiry. The BVA believes that

the current Act provides an adequate means of regulating the profession
reform of the disciplinary procedures, including greater lay representation would be desirable
there should be a Guide to Practice Standards similar to the Guide to Professional Conduct
there should be a mandatory CPD but no compulsory revalidation
there are concerns with unregulated groups and individuals who carry out acts of veterinary surgery in contravention of the 1966 Act

What the BVA has done

The Review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act Report and Recommendations, commissioned by the BVA, was presented to Council in July 2007

BVA’s submission of evidence to EFRACom (July 2007)
the BVA gave oral evidence to the EFRACom inquiry into the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 in January 2008
The BVA President has attended RCVS Veterinary Legislation Group meetings as an observer

Since the Government response to the EFRACom Report the BVA

has reaffirmed its position statement at BVA Council in July and December 2008
discussed the draft RCVS Veterinary Legislation report at BVA Council in March 2009
has reformed the BVA Veterinary Surgeons Act Working Party
has responded to the RCVS 2009 Review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

BVA has produced a briefing document for members detailing the full timeline of discussions and changes from 2003 to present.