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RCVS to form public advisory group
RCVS Council agreed to set up new Public Advisory Group at September meeting.

Group will help the College develop policy and improve communications.

The RCVS has announced the formation of a new advisory group to help the College better understand the issues currently affecting the public.

During its September meeting, RCVS Council voted to approve the terms of the new Public Advisory Group (PAG), which will also help the college develop policy and to test messaging and communications to ensure they are understandable. 

The PAG will be chaired by a member of RCVS Council and will have a minimum pool of 30 members, comprising a mix of companion animal, equine and production animal owners and keepers. Council members also approved a draft invitation for application for animal owners/keepers who would like to join the PAG. 

The meeting took place at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, 8 September. Opening proceedings, RCVS president Melissa Donald welcomed elected members Olivia Cook MRCVS and Dr Abbie Calow MRCVS to their first full Council meeting.

Council also agreed on amendments to the policy governing the handling of complaints about Council, and committee members discussed a potential new policy around the RCVS bringing forward private prosecutions for breaches of the Veterinary Surgeons Act (VSA).

On the VSA, Council discussed potential advantages, disadvantages and costs of private prosecutions, and voted for a further paper setting out a draft policy on private prosecutions.

The full agenda and papers for the Council meeting can be found at rcvs.org.uk

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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.