UKHSU - The United Kingdom Horse Shoers Union
REVIEW OF THE VETERINARY SURGEONS ACT
Working Group Meeting - UKHSU Report
eUKHSU document of 29th May 2006
Below is a list of comments on “Desired changes to the Act“ suggested by the WCF.
1) Provision for temporary visitors (Needed to cope with racing, polo, eventing etc – will have to be partially incorporated to accommodate EU Directive 2005/36) This matter does not seem to cause problems at the moment and an SI is the usual way of accommodating EU directives
2) Redefinition of farriery to include radical trimming (Address welfare problems caused by Strasser / equine podiatrists – might be possible to move towards under new Animal Health & Welfare Bills) We cannot see how this could be workable and would ask for your proposals on this issue.
3) Inclusion of fitness to practise as well as serious misconduct in a professional respect (Would enable requirement for bad farriers to retrain and provide for drink / drug problems) This issue is largely self correcting, in that those few farriers who are not fit to practice tend not to have any customers.
4) Make provision for mandatory CPD and revalidation if wanted (Not covered in current Act) There is no pressing need for this at the present time.
5) Provision to fine as well as or instead of suspend for serious misconduct (Would be in interests of horse owners. Not supported by RCVS) Not necessary as it is perfectly possible to issue a caution or a nominal period of suspension in the interests of horse owners. This suggestion fails to allow for the considerable expense and stress involved in enduring the Disciplinary Process.
6) Revise Council Membership (No longer many genuine employee farriers and some nominated appointing bodies now defunct) We agree with the need to revise Council membership. We feel that more posts should be available to be elected by farriers. However it would seem bizarre to scrap the Act for this purpose.
7) Bring Disciplinary Procedures into line with modern thinking (Separate rule setting from rule enforcement) The FRC solicitors have made it clear that the Disciplinary Procedures are perfectly legal. There is a serious need for reform but this can be accomplished without legislation.
8) Increase maximum penalty for illegal farriery (Current limit £1000) No need. The bill for costs often exceeds the fine and so the penalty is often very significant.
9) General tidy up of wording (Some sections could be clearer) We are not sure what this refers to. Again we would ask for your proposals on this issue.