RCVS creates new “certification support officers” role

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons council members have voted to change the college’s supporting guidance to allow for the creation of a new non-veterinarian role of “certification support officer”, to support vet surgeons in the certification of products of animal origin for export, including the signing of export health certificates for meat, dairy, processed products and animal by-products, but not certification relating to live animals or germinal products. They will work under the direction of the vets, but it is the vets themselves who will sign the final certification. This new role has been created in the event of post-Brexit labour shortages.
RCVS president, Amanda Boag, said: “As we have stated in our recent statement on ‘no-deal’ Brexit, it has been estimated that there would be 325% increase in veterinary certification requirements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and with these proposals Defra and the APHA are preparing for this by increasing the support available for OVs. Furthermore, the proposal is in line with the concept of a vet-led team, with veterinary surgeons focusing on tasks only vets can do, whilst delegating some tasks to suitably trained and quality-assured members of our teams.”