RCVS Council approve further extension to temporary registration scheme

At its June meeting, RCVS Council approved an 18-month extension to a scheme allowing temporary registration of Novice Official Veterinarians (TRNOVs) graduating from certain European accredited veterinary schools to provide meat hygiene controls in England and Wales.

After a lengthy and full discussion following the proposal by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who originally proposed a three-year extension to the temporary registration, it was agreed by RCVS Council that an 18-month extension would be appropriate, to align with the RCVS review of its decision around acceptance of European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) accreditation. At the same time, Council made an additional recommendation that re-tendering for the Service Delivery Partner be completed before the end of that 18-month period.

Proposals for the scheme were first put to Council in June 2021 by Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) in light of increased pressures on OV numbers and capacity following the UK’s exit from the European Union earlier that year, with an initial 12-month extension being agreed by RCVS Council last year.

As stated on the FSA Twitter account shortly after the decision was made, the further extension to the scheme will “allow appropriately qualified veterinarians with Level 6 English to temporarily register with the RCVS and work as Temporary Registered Novice Official Veterinarians (TRNOV).

“They will be working in abattoirs in England and Wales, protecting food safety and animal health and welfare, whilst further developing their English language skills.”

Full details on the decision will be published in the June 2023 Council Meeting Minutes, ahead of the next meeting to be held on Thursday 7 September 2023.