Consultation outcome

Veterinary Surgeons: language control for EU migrants

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 22 July 2015
• Last updated: 19 February 2016 — See all updates

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Summary of responses and government response

PDF, 198 KB, 26 pages

Detail of outcome

We received 112 responses to this consultation.

As a result of the support for the proposals, the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 has been amended by The Veterinary Surgeons Qualifications (European Recognition and Knowledge of Language) Regulations 2015 to include language controls.

We are working with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) to develop guidance on how this will be applied.

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Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on if migrant veterinary surgeons from the EU must demonstrate the necessary knowledge of English to practise in the UK.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
22 July 2015 to 11:59pm on 29 September 2015

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about our proposals to introduce language controls for migrant EU veterinary surgeons. We will do this by giving the registrar of the RCVS (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) explicit powers to:

• request that applicants demonstrate their ability by a reasonable means
• prevent someone, who cannot demonstrate ability, from practising (by not adding their name to the register).

It is felt that proficiency in English is a required skill for veterinary surgeons.

This consultation will be of particular interest to veterinary surgeons, prospective applicants to the UK register of veterinary surgeons and the animal owning public.

Published 22 July 2015
Last updated 19 February 2016 + show all updates

1. 19 February 2016

   Summary of responses and government response added.

2. 22 July 2015

   First published.