The importance of strengthening the private veterinary sector and the national veterinary statutory bodies

摘要

Veterinary Services (VS), having a pivotal role in animal health, specifically in the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases, as well as having a crucial function in public health, food safety and control of zoonoses are considered tobe a global public good. Compliance with international standards for VS, such as those contained in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, and evaluation of the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) using the OIE PVS Tool are increasingly becoming public demands at national, regional and international level on all bodies charged with the delivery of VS. In addition, it has been realised in recent years that there is an urgent need to forge closer relationshipsand establish linkages between the official and the private veterinary sectors in order to respond rapidly and effectively to outbreaks of animal disease and zoonoses. The ever-increasing risk of the occurrence of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, combined with the realisation that, owing to decreasing budgets for VS and the reduction in staffing of official VS, the involvement of the private veterinary sector greatly enhances the capacity for animal disease surveillance, prevention and control, and health certification. The role of private veterinarians in these activities necessitates paying attention to their independence and objectivity. This involvement of the private veterinary sector, as well as the increased role of veterinary paraprofessionals in surveillance, early disease detection and monitoring, and rapid response actions, calls for capacity building at all levels in order to meet the demands posed. To address the demand for high-quality veterinarians in the private sector, veterinary professional organisations have taken the lead in formulating protocols and guidelines for quality management systems, based on a Code of Good Veterinary Practice. Appropriate and enabling veterinary legislation is an essential element in addressing needs and achieving goals within the framework of good veterinary governance and the regulation of the veterinary profession as a whole. The OIE Terrestrial Code defines the responsibilities and functions of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals, with specific reference to the establishment, authority and functions of a veterinary statutory body empowered by enabling legislation.This presentation highlights relevant definitions in the OIE Terrestrial Code and Guidelines on Veterinary Legislation, as well as the legal requirements for the establishment of a veterinary statutory body to enable VS to meet the OIE quality standards.