Agreement signed to safeguard vets rights to practise in UK post-Brexit
Posted 10 October, 2019
- Agreement means, whatever the Brexit outcome, veterinary medicine graduates can work in veterinary surgeons in the UK, and vice versa for UK graduates.
- First agreement of its kind to be signed on a bilateral basis between the UK and another country in the European Economic Area.
A new deal signed by the regulators of veterinary degrees in Ireland and the UK will ensure that, whatever the outcome of Brexit, vets who qualify in Ireland will still be allowed to practice in Britain.
The mutual recognition agreement between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is the first of its kind to be signed on a bilateral basis between the UK and another country in the European Economic Area.
(opens in a new window)Professor Michael Doherty, Dean and Head of UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, the only school of veterinary medicine on the Island of Ireland, said the new deal “provides reassurance” to students and graduates whatever the outcome of the UK leaving the EU.
The UCD School of Veterinary Medicine is delighted that RCVS and VCI have signed this historic mutual recognition agreement - great news for our students and graduates (opens in a new window)pic.twitter.com/0n38Jbhpuq
— Michael Doherty (@DohertyVetDean) (opens in a new window)9 October 2019
"This important announcement of a mutual recognition agreement between the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK and the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) is excellent news for the students and graduates of the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine in the context of Brexit uncertainty."
"It provides reassurance to our students that whatever the outcome of the UK leaving the EU, following successful visits of accreditation, UCD graduates of veterinary medicine can join the RCVS register and graduates of the UK schools of veterinary medicine can join the VCI's equivalent register."
Currently EEA citizens who graduate from UCD have an automatic right to work in the UK under an existing agreement, known as the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
