Another year, another planet

FEBRUARY 20, 2006, marked the fifth anniversary of the start of the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease ( fmd ) outbreak and defra 's contingency plans were again under scrutiny. Developments during the year included the launch to the public of the rcvs Practice Standards Scheme, agreement on the arrangements for a new modular Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice, and the launch of an updated website giving guidance on the professional development phase which all veterinary surgeons graduating from 2007 onwards will be expected to complete.