Update report from the WCF’s Working Group on the White Paper for reform of the Veterinary Services Act from the WCF Working Group: 1st October 2026

The WCF working group have been following up the publication of the White Paper entitled ‘Our vision for a thriving veterinary sector’ published by DEFRA. To date we have had constructive meetings with both DEFRA, who are sponsors of the proposed legislation, and the RCVS who are the proposed regulator under the White Paper.

We have conveyed the message to DEFRA and the RCVS that although we consider the Farriers Registration Act to be working well, we do not oppose the reform of the Veterinary Services Act, and drawing on our experience and knowledge and relationships as Professional Leadership in farriery, are very happy to assist them as the process of drafting the bill and secondary legislation and farriery specific regulation progress. This offer has been positively received by both DEFRA and the RCVS.

We have also maintained contact with the BFBA and FRC, and other veterinary professional groups likely to be affected under the White Paper proposals. Representatives of the WCF working group attended the DEFRA presentation on Teams for farriers, arranged and hosted by BFBA. It was apparent from the Q&A session that farriers still have many questions. The WCF have drafted a Briefing Note for farriers aiming to clarify what the White Paper does and does not say, which has been positively received by DEFRA. This Briefing Note together with a Table of our Professional Leadership are published below.

Christopher Wynterbee-Robey

Renter Warden

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

On Tuesday 17 March 2026, an extraordinary meeting of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Farriers was convened. The Court made a number of amendments before approving the submission of the Company’s response to DEFRA’s consultation on the proposed reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (see attached response).

Here is a summary:

The Worshipful Company of Farriers supports the modernisation of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the introduction of clearer, more consistent regulation across the veterinary sector, including the regulation of allied professionals. However, it emphasises that farriers are already a statutorily regulated profession and any inclusion within a reformed Act must be demonstrably beneficial, proportionate, and appropriate to their working practices as largely self-employed, mobile practitioners. The Company raises concerns about the lack of detail in the proposals, particularly regarding licensing, costs, and governance and cautions against imposing regulatory models designed for larger veterinary businesses onto sole traders. Overall, while welcoming reform in principle, the response calls for greater clarity, meaningful stakeholder engagement, and a proportionate, evidence-based approach to ensure improvements in animal welfare without unnecessary regulatory burden