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RCVS awarding body officially closes
certificates
With the closure of RCVS awards, centres approved by Central Qualifications and City & Guilds now deliver the diplomas in veterinary nursing.
Resolving a conflict of interest
 
A ceremony held at RCVS headquarters in London last week marked the official closure of RCVS Awards, the former awarding body for veterinary nursing qualifications.

The college has been winding down its awarding activities over the past few years due to a potential conflict of interest.

As a professional regulator, the college's role includes the regulation of education and training leading up to the registration of veterinary surgeons and nurses.

With the closure of RCVS awards, centres approved by Central Qualifications and City & Guilds now deliver the diplomas in veterinary nursing.

Speaking at the closing ceremony last week (1 December), Virginia Pott, a former external verifier for RCVS Awards, commented: "I think it was always difficult for the RCVS to have two roles and so the closure of RCVS Awards has brought clarity to the college as a regulator".

Despite the closure of RCVS Awards, the college continues to provide the Nursing Progress Log (NPL). Whilst the closure of its awarding arm has been welcomed as a positive step, some still feel the NPL presents a conflict of interest and competes with awarding bodies that develop their own skill logs.

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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. 

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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.