Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
Purpose of the Act
The Act provides for the regulation of the veterinary profession; for the registration of veterinary surgeons; for regulating their professional education and professional conduct; and for cancelling or suspending registration in cases of misconduct.
The Act restricts the practice of veterinary surgery. It does this by making it a criminal offence to practice veterinary surgery unless a person is a qualified veterinary surgeon registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. However, it does allow listed veterinary nurses to carry out medical treatment and minor surgery (not involving entry into a body cavity) at the direction of a veterinary surgeon, on any species of animal. A listed veterinary nurse is someone who holds the necessary qualifications in veterinary nursing required by the RCVS and whose name is entered on a list kept by the RCVS.
The Act also provides a number of other exemptions including allowing certain minor treatment, tests or operations (e.g. artificial insemination of cattle and horses) to be carried out by suitably trained and competent non-veterinarians which is specified in an Order made by the Ministers after consultation with the RCVS Council. Schedule 3 of the Act also provides for a range of exemptions from the restriction on the practice of veterinary surgery. This includes the carrying out of first aid for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain.
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
The Veterinary Surgeons Act establishes the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as the body responsible for regulating veterinary surgeons in the UK.
To find out more information about the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons please visit their website.
EFRA Committee Inquiry into the need to replace the Veterinary Surgeons Act
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Parliamentary Committee launched an inquiry into the Veterinary Surgeons Act in July 2007. Its terms of reference were to examine whether the provisions of the Act were out of step with developments in the veterinary surgeon and related professions, and whether there was a need to replace the Act. It did this by asking a series of questions on a range of issues and for written evidence in response to each of those questions to be submitted. A number of representative bodies, organisations and individuals submitted written evidence.
Defra submitted written evidence and the Defra Minister Lord Rooker gave oral evidence to the Committee which is published in the Committee’s report.
The Committee also published Defra’s response to the recommendations.
Defra’s written evidence acknowledged that the Veterinary Surgeons Act is in need of updating and replaced by new legislation but due to current constraints on Departmental spending, Defra is unable to take this forward during the current spending period (2008-11).
Page last modified: 19 August, 2008