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.

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