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The next step in protecting the VN title
nurse
If the bill is approved, any non-registered person using the title would face fines or convictions.
Lord Trees submits bill to the House of Lords

A bill to protect the title 'veterinary nurse' has been submitted to the House of Lords. It could now be debated in the Lords and the House of Commons and, if approved, would become law.

Professor the Lord Trees submitted the 'Veterinary Nurses (Protection of Title) Bill' to the ballot yesterday (19 May). It will receive parliamentary time if it draws highly enough in the ballot, which will be drawn before the summer recess.

If approved in its current form, it would prohibit the use of the veterinary nurse title for anyone not listed on the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses.

Should any non-registered person then use the VN title or any name, title or description that implied they were on the register, they could face fines or conviction under the Veterinary Surgeons Act.

Commenting, Lord Trees said it is "very exciting, and a privilege" to submit the private members' bill. He added that if it is debated by the House of Lords and the House of Commons, he is "confident that the bill will receive total cross-party support."

"It would mark the final brick in the wall of creating a fully-fledged, recognised and protected veterinary nursing profession. This is what the veterinary nursing profession merits and the public deserve."


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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.