Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

27Interpretation

(1)In this Act, except so far as the context otherwise requires.—

  • " animals " includes birds and reptiles ;

  • " College " means the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons ;

  • " Commonwealth qualification " and " foreign qualification " have the meanings respectively assigned to them by section 6 of this Act;

  • " Council " means the Council of the College;

  • " disciplinary case " has the meaning assigned to it by section 15 of this Act;

  • " elected members of the Council " has the meaning assigned to it by section 1 of this Act;

  • " the Ministers " means the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland acting jointly;

  • " qualification " means any diploma, degree, fellowship, membership, licence, authority to practise, letters testimonial, certificate or other status or document granted by any university, corporation, college or other body or by any department of, or persons acting under the authority of, the government of any country or place;

  • " recognition order " has the meaning assigned to it by section 3 of this Act;

  • " register " means the register of veterinary surgeons ;

  • " veterinary surgery " means the art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall be taken to include—

    (a)

    the diagnosis of diseases in, and injuries to, animals including tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes;

    (b)

    the giving of advice based upon such diagnosis ;

    (c)

    the medical or surgical treatment of animals; and

    (d)

    the performance of surgical operations on animals.

(2)Anything required by this Act to be done by or to the registrar may be done by or to any assistant registrar appointed by the Council.

(3)References in this Act to any other enactment shall be construed as references thereto as amended, and as including references thereto as extended, by or under any subsequent enactment.