Memorandum submitted by the United Kingdom
Horse Shoers Union (Vet 33)
1. As an independent, national and democratic
farriers association the UKHSU exists primarily to represent the
views of farriers.
2. Our view of the RCVS is that it is reflects
the bias of Veterinary practice towards small animals and is an
over bureaucratic body lacking in principle or purpose, however,
that is not really our concern.
3. We are particularly concerned with the
RCVS proposal "Whether there ought to be regulation of providers
of veterinary care other than veterinary surgeons" and how
it concerns farriery.
4. We are concerned that elements within
the RCVS, the Farriers Registration Council and the Worshipful
Company of Farriers, none of which bodies are actually representative
of farriers, are keen on a marriage with the RCVS for reasons
unconnected with equine welfare or the advancement of the craft
of farriery.
5. Farriery is already regulated by the
Farriers Registration Act. Farriers are not in general providers
of veterinary care and are more a part of the equine industry
than the veterinary industry. Nor is farriery a profession in
the sense that Veterinary Surgery is a profession, being primarily
a skilled craft focused on the nailing on of horseshoes, a method
which has changed very little over many decades.
6. While there are faults in the Farriers
Registration Act we do not feel that a closer relationship with
the RCVS is in any way the answer. We have written to every farrier
in the country about this and it is clear from the response that
farriers do not want to come under the RCVS umbrella. We have
already written to Defra and the RCVS about this, making farriers
views clear.
7. We would welcome an assurance that Farriery
is not on the agenda as far as any discussion of the RCVS is concerned.
September 2007
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