The Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations give effect to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ No L 255, 30.09.2005, p 22) in so far as it applies to the practice of veterinary surgery in the United Kingdom.

These Regulations amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (“the Act”) by —

• inserting section 1A of the Act to set out the functions of the College as competent authority for the purposes of Directive 2005/36/EC;

• replacing sections 5A and 5B of the Act to provide for the recognition of European veterinary surgeons who are entitled to be recognised as veterinary surgeons for the purposes of establishing themselves in the UK;

• replacing section 5C and inserting sections 5CA, 5CB, 5CC, 5CD and 5CE of the Act which provide the appeal procedure for applicants wishing to become registered under the Act under section 5A, 5B or Schedule 1B;

• inserting section 8A and Schedule 1B to the Act to provide for recognition of visiting temporary veterinary surgeons;

• replacing Schedule 1A to the Act setting out the circumstances in which mutual recognition of veterinary qualifications will apply, or will not apply unless further conditions are met; and

• making minor consequential amendments to sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 5D, 6, 10, 11, 16 and 27 of the Act and to Schedule 3 to the Act for the purposes of Directive 2005/36/EC.

These Regulations repeal the Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/1348) and certain provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1919).

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as only a minor impact on the public, private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.