Explanatory note

This Order approves the Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Practitioners (Registration) Regulations 2003 (“the Regulations”), made by the Royal Council of Veterinary Surgeons (“the RCVS”) under section 11 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (c. 36). It comes into force on 1 April 2004.

The Regulations regulate the registration of veterinary surgeons and veterinary practitioners and the fees payable for annual registration and retention of names on the Registers of the RCVS.

The Regulations revoke previous RCVS Regulations (regulation 25). The main changes introduced by the Regulations are as follows:

• Increase in the fees payable for annual registration and retention of names on the Registers of the RCVS by 6-7%, from 1 April 2004 (Schedule to the Regulations);

• Reduction of new registration fee from £240 to £58, linked to payment of a retention fee (Part IX and Schedule to the Regulations);

• Changes in the categories of RCVS membership (regulation 2(1), Parts IX and XI, regulation 24 and Schedule to the Regulations). Membership will be based on whether members are practising or non-practising, rather than practising or retired:

  • members resident and practising in the UK will be listed as `home practising';

  • members resident and practising outside the UK will be listed as `overseas practising'; and

  • members who have declared they are no longer undertaking acts of veterinary surgery as defined in section 27(1) of the Act or are otherwise engaged in `any activity which is, in the opinion of the Council, veterinary related' will be listed as `non-practising' members.