1. These Regulations may be cited as the Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Regulations 2008 and come into force on 6th August 2008.
2. Amend the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966(1) as set out in the Schedule.
3.—(1) In the Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2003(2) the following are revoked—
(a)articles 2 to 11;
(b)paragraphs 2 to 4, 7(b) and 8 of the Schedule; and
(c)in paragraph 7(c) of the Schedule, all of the definitions except the definition of “registration appeals committee”.
(2) The Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2007(3) is revoked.
4.—(1) In this regulation—
“the old law” means the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Veterinary Surgeons’ Qualifications (European Recognition) Order 2003 as they stood immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations;
“the Swiss Agreement” means the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the Free Movement of Persons signed at Luxembourg on 21st June 1999 and which came into force on 1st June 2002(4).
(2) The old law continues (despite the amendment and revocations made by these Regulations) to have effect for the purpose of implementing the Swiss Agreement so far as that Agreement relates to Directive 78/1026/EEC concerning the mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifications in veterinary medicine, including measures to facilitate the effective exercise of the right of establishment and freedom to provide services(5) and Directive 78/1027/EEC concerning the coordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in respect of the activities of veterinary surgeons(6).
Jeff Rooker
Minister of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
8th July 2008