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01 European Veterinary Code of Conduct
one professionone vision
one voice
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
Rue Defacqz, 1 B - 1000 BruxellesTel. 32 2 533 70 20 - Fax. 32 2 537 28 [email protected] - www.fve.org
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
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02 Veterinary Act
Table of contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p3
01 European Veterinary Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . p4 - p15
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p5The role of the veterinarian in society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p5The purpose of a professional Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p5The purpose of a European Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p6The FVE European Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p7
chapter 1Core Values of the FVE European Veterinary Code of Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p81.1 General Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p81.2 Veterinarians & Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p91.3 Veterinarians & Customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p91.4 Veterinarians & Veterinary Profession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p91.5 Veterinarians & Veterinary Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p101.6 Veterinarians & Competent Authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p101.7 Veterinarians & Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p111.8 Veterinarians & Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p11
chapter 2Further recommendations on implementation of core values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p122.1 Veterinarians & Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p122.2 Veterinarians & Customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p132.3 Veterinarians & Veterinary Professions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p132.4 Veterinarians & Veterinary Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p132.5 Veterinarians & Competent Authorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p142.6 Veterinarians & Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p142.7 Veterinarians & Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p14Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p15Annex 1 & 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p15
02 Veterinary Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p16 - p21
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Dear Reader,
It is my pleasure to recommend the Veterinary Code of Conduct to you.Drawn up by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, it clearly outlinesthe way the veterinary profession in Europe looks upon its role and responsibilities and how these should be delivered to societies. Together with the definition of the Veterinary Act, it shows the profession’sclear view on its tasks, the way these should be carried out, as well as theprofession’s wish to be accountable for these tasks.
I am particularly pleased by the fact that this Code was designed to applyto all veterinarians, including practitioners, hygienists, research workersand policy officers, both in the public and in the private sector. By workingclosely together towards the same goals, all veterinarians will reinforcetheir contributions to assuring the health and welfare of animals and people in Europe.
Dr Bernard VallatDirector General of
the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
Dear Reader,
Adopted by all FVE member organizations -representing the veterinary profession in 38 European countries as well as in all its disciplines - thesedocuments aim to serve as guidance for the veterinary profession throughoutEurope. They clearly demonstrate the profession’s commitment to assuringthe health and welfare of animals and people and its adherence to ethicalstandards. Both papers are a next step in our profession's policy towardsthe continuous improvement of the quality of its services.
I sincerely hope that this brochure will serve all those with an interest inthe health and welfare of animals and people.
Dr Walter WindingPresident of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
The purpose of a professionalCode of Conduct
A Code of Conduct is a standard specifyingthe veterinary ethics and principles of professional conduct. It should ensure that :
■ Veterinarians provide high quality servicesfor the benefit of animal health, animalwelfare and public health,
■ Customers can have confidence in theservices provided.
The activities of veterinarians compriseintellectual tasks for the proper discharge oftheir duties which require a high level oflegal, technical and scientific knowledge.Recognition of the veterinary degree isbased upon minimum training requirements,as specified in article 38 and Annex V of theDirective on the Recognition of ProfessionalQualifications (2005/36/EC) 1.
For obtaining the authorisation to practice,additional requirements (e.g. registration witha competent authority) might have to be met.
The role of the veterinarianin society
In answer to societal needs, veterinariansplay an essential role in protecting animalhealth, animal welfare and public health aswell as the environment by providing a widerange of services.
A veterinarian’s function lays on him a variety of legal or moral obligations, namelytowards :
■ animals,■ customer,■ veterinary profession in general and each
colleague in particular,■ professional veterinary team,■ society,■ competent authorities.
On occasions, these obligations may conflictwith each other and therefore the veterinarianmay be presented with a dilemma. In such situations it is the veterinarians’responsibility to balance these obligations.
Preamble
Veterinarians are subject to the Code ofConduct drawn up by the appropriate competent authority. They should be awarethat contravention of the provisions of theCode might lead to disciplinary sanctions.
Customers must have confidence thatalleged contravention of the provisions ofCodes of Conduct will be treated seriouslyby the appropriate competent authority concerned and, if proved, will result inaction proportionate to the seriousness ofthat breach being taken.
(1) See Annex I
01European VeterinaryCode of Conduct
EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT 54
The purpose of a EuropeanCode of Conduct
The increase in cross-border activities andthe development of a genuine Internal Marketfor services call for a greater convergenceof professional rules at European level. It is therefore important that professionalorganizations reach agreement betweenthemselves at European level on a common
set of rules which will ensure an equal levelof protection for recipients and a high qualityof services throughout the EU.
A European Code can :
■ facilitate the free movement of serviceproviders
■ lead to recipients’ enhanced trust andconfidence in services offered by providersfrom other member states.
A European Code of Conduct should applyboth to the provision of services cross-borderas well as to the provision of services withinthe territory where the service provider isestablished : the aim is to establish acommon set of rules at European level andnot to draw a distinction between nationaland cross-border provision of services.
A European Code of Conduct should containthe principles which are at the core of theexercise of regulated professions in Europesuch as professional independence, confidentiality, honesty, integrity and dignity.This does not exclude member states ornational professional associations from stipulating more detailed rules aimed at
greater protection in their national law ornational Code of Conduct.(ref Handbook services)
In accordance with the Directive2006/123/CE on Services (art. 15 freedomof establishment and art. 16 free movementof services) those more detailed rulesshould respect the following conditions :
■ non-discrimination: the requirement maybe neither directly (nationality or locationof registered office) nor indirectly (residenceor place of principal establishment) discriminatory;
■ necessity : the requirement must be justified for reasons of public policy, publicsecurity, public health or the protection ofthe environment;
■ proportionality : the requirement must besuitable for attaining the objective pursued,and must not go beyond what is necessaryto attain that objective.
One of the challenges of an European Codeof Conduct would also be its concreteimplementation, in order to ensure thatapplications of these minimum set of rulescan be enforced in practice.
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Customermeans a person, company or anotherentity (such as the government) whichpurchases goods and services providedby a veterinarian, his staff or his veteri-nary team.
Member Statemeans a Member State of the EuropeanUnion.
Home Member Statemeans the Member State where theveterinarian acquired the right to bearhis professional title.
Host Member Statemeans any other Member State wherethe veterinarian carries on cross-borderactivities to bear his professional title.
of the modes of pursuit of which is subject, directly or indirectly, by virtueof legislative, regulatory or administra-tive provisions to the possession ofspecific professional qualifications; inparticular, the use of a professionaltitle limited by legislative, regulatory oradministrative provisions to holders ofa given professional qualification shallconstitute a mode of pursuit.(Directive 2005/36/EC).
Servicemeans any self-employed economicactivity, normally provided for remunera-tion, as referred to in Article 50 of theTreaty. (Directive 2006/123/EC).Veterinarian providing a service can beeither self- employed either member ofa company.
EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT 7
According to this preamble, the members of FVE agree on a FVE European code of conduct. This Code of Conductcontains principles which shall :
■ be recognized at the present time as the expression of consensus of core values between all members of FVE and beimplemented within national codes of conduct: CHAPTER 1
■ be taken into account by all members of FVE in all revisionsof national Codes of Conduct with a view to their progressive
implementation aimed at greater protection of recipientsand a higher quality of services: CHAPTER 2.
This FVE European Code of Conduct will not be legally bindingunless it is made binding either by the European Union orNational legislation.
As the circumstances in which it may be implemented will varywidely, FVE does not accept responsibility and is not liable forany use that is made of this Code as a matter of private law.
Definitions:
Competent Authoritymeans any body or authority which hasa supervisory or regulatory role in a Member State in relation to serviceactivities, including, in particular administrative authorities, professionalbodies, and those professional associa-tions or other professional organisationswhich, in the exercise of their legalautonomy, regulate in a collective manner access to service activities orthe exercise thereof. (Directive 2006/123/EC).
Regulated professionmeans a professional activity or groupof professional activities, access towhich, the pursuit of which, or one
The FVE European Code of Conduct
Core Values of the FVE EuropeanVeterinary Code of Conduct.These values shall be recognized at the present time as the expression of consensus of core values between all members of FVE and be implemented within national codes of conduct.
8 EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT
1.2 Veterinarians &Animals
Veterinarians shall have knowledge of animal health and welfare legislation.
Veterinarians shall restore and/or ensurethe welfare and health of the animals undertheir care in whichever section of the veterinary profession they work.
Veterinarians shall give emergency first aidand pain relief to any animal according totheir skills and the specific situation.
1.3 Veterinarians &Customers
Veterinarians shall respect the needs andrequirements expressed by their customeras long as such needs and requirements do not conflict with compliance with thePrinciples and Applications of this Codeand/or with the laws of the Member Statein which they wish to provide a service.
No veterinarian shall discriminate on groundsof race, gender, religion, politics, disability,marital status or sexual orientation.
All veterinarians owe a duty to their customersto carry out work and services faithfully,conscientiously, competently in a professionalmanner, and with independence, impartialityand integrity using due care, skill and diligence.
Accountability and InsuranceVeterinarians shall ensure that the customercan be adequately compensated in theevent of adverse effects resulting fromerrors or omissions made in the provision ofa service. For that purpose, veterinariansshould carry insurance or another form ofguarantee.
The customers have the right to expect anadequate compensation in the event of ajustified claim.
Veterinarians shall as far as reasonably possible ensure informed consent is obtainedfrom a customer before treatment or procedures are carried out.
Veterinarians may inform the public abouttheir services in an accurate and not misleading manner. Such communicationmust be truthful, transparent and correct.Commercial communications by veterinariansshall comply with Community law, aim inparticular to guarantee the independence,dignity and integrity as well as professionalsecrecy. (ref Handbook services).
1.4 Veterinarians & VeterinaryProfession
Veterinarians shall familiarise themselveswith and observe the relevant legislationand Code of Conduct in relation to veterinarians as individual members of anEuropean veterinary profession.
Where a veterinarian of a Member Stateco-operates with a veterinarian from anotherMember State, both shall take into accountthe differences which may exist betweentheir respective laws and the professionalorganisations, competences and obligationsof veterinarians in the Member States concerned.
All veterinarians shall conduct themselvesin a manner that respects the legitimate
EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT 9
(2) Confidentiality / professional secrecy : safeguard information acquired in the course of providing professional services and ensure that information about an individual is not disclosed to others.
(3) See § 1.6.
1.1 GeneralPrinciples
Independence and impartialityVeterinarians shall exercise personal andindependent judgement after taking intoaccount all relevant circumstances, withoutany application of personal interest orexternal influence.
Customers have the right to receive impartial,independent and objective advice.
Honesty and IntegrityVeterinarians shall act with courtesy, honestyand integrity in their relationships withcustomers and others, including professionalcolleagues and must not engage in any
activity or behaviour that would be likely tobring the profession into disrepute or under-mine public confidence in the profession.
Customers have the right to expect to betreated with courtesy and respect.
Confidentiality and professional secrecyVeterinarians shall protect the customers’confidentiality2 except in specified circumstances and, where possible, withthe informed consent of the individual.
Customers have the right to expect that veterinarians will respect confidentialityexcept in specified circumstances, especiallywhen disclosure concerns public or consumershealth3, animal heath and/or welfare or whendisclosure is required by law.
Competence and professionalismIn carrying out their profession, veterinariansshall act in all conscience and to the best oftheir professional knowledge.
Veterinarians shall maintain and enhancetheir knowledge and skills relating to thestate of veterinary science.
Customers have the right to expect that veterinarians will keep their knowledge intheir field of practice up-to-date and workwithin their competency level.
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rights and interests of others. They shallacknowledge the professional aspirationsand contributions of their colleagues andrespect their rights.
Veterinarians shall recognise all others veterinarians of Member States as professional colleagues and act fairly andcourteously towards them.
Veterinarians shall ensure the integrity ofveterinary certification. They shall not signa certificate or any other relevant statutoryapplication unless the signatory is thedesigner or :
■ either where the design has been prepared under the signatory’s directsupervision and/or authority,
■ either on the basis of an official recognizedcertificate, designed as above, that has beensigned by another authorized veterinarian.
1.5 Veterinarians & VeterinaryTeam4
Veterinarians shall maintain and enhancetheir knowledge of, and observe the relevantlegislation applicable on Health and Safetyto employers, employees, business owners.
All veterinarians shall ensure that conduct oftheir teams conforms to the Code of Conduct,so that anybody dealing with any providerof veterinary services may have confidencein being protected against incompetence orfalse or misleading statements.
All veterinarians shall take all reasonableprecautions to ensure the health, safety andwelfare of their team.
Veterinarians shall communicate with colleagues and staff to ensure co-ordinationof care of patients
Veterinarians shall ensure that any memberof support staff to whom a task is delegatedhas the knowledge and skills necessary toundertake that task effectively and efficientlywhilst maintaining overall responsibility.There shall also be appropriate supervision.
1.6 Veterinarians & CompetentAuthorities
All veterinarians shall observe the laws governing their professional activities and so,shall foster and endeavour to maintain goodrelationships with Competent Authorities.
Veterinarians shall contact the relevantCompetent Authorities and inform themselves as to the rules which will affectthem in the performance of any particularactivity in a particular Member State : they shall ensure that they abide by the reulations of the Competent Authority of themember State in which they wish to providea service.
Veterinarians, when performing tasks onbehalf of the Competent Authorities, shallensure that there is no conflict of interest andshall not use their position to try to extendtheir clientele or to gain a personal advantage.
Veterinarians, when performing inspectionson behalf of the Competent Authorities, shallunderstand the importance of impartialityand uniformity in enforcement of theseinspections.
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1.8 Veterinarians &Environment
Veterinarians shall maintain and enhancetheir knowledge of, and observe the relevantlegislation applicable on environment protection.
All veterinarians shall take account of thesocial and environmental impact of theirprofessional activities in the implementationof such work and services.
Veterinarians shall seek to ensure the bestprotection of public and consumers health.
Veterinarians shall understand and complywith their legal obligations in relation to theprescription, safekeeping, use, supply anddisposal of medicinal products, especiallywhen relating to the handling or administra-tion of medicinal products which shall berecorded and dealt with, according to general pharmacovigilance principles andrequirements.
Veterinarians shall report any suspicion of anotifiable disease to the appropriate Authority.
1.7 Veterinarians &Society
Veterinarians shall maintain and enhancetheir knowledge of, and observe the relevantlegislation applicable on public health.
Veterinarians shall understand their roleand comply with legal obligations in thefood chain. Veterinarians shall, wheneverappropriate, bare in mind the possibleimpact his/her actions might have on theend product and the consumer.
(4) employers, employees, business owners
12 EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT
Veterinarians should respect the confiden-tiality of information acquired in the course ofproviding veterinary services and ensure thatinformation about a client is not disclosed toothers unless disclosure is required by lawand, where possible, with the informed consent of the individual or any relevant party.
Veterinarians should respond promptly, fullyand courteously to complaints and criticism.
If any dispute of a professional nature or abreach of a rule of professional conductarises between customers and veterinarians,they should resolve the dispute locally orthrough the Competent Authority.
Veterinarians should respect the rules forpricing where they exist.
2.3 Veterinarians & VeterinaryProfession
Veterinarians should not maliciously orunfairly criticise or attempt to discreditanother veterinarian.
If any personal dispute of a professionalnature or a breach of a rule of professionalconduct arises amongst veterinarians, theyshould resolve the dispute locally or throughthe Competent Authority.
Veterinarians should maintain and developtheir professional knowledge and skills.
Veterinarians, if approached to undertake aveterinary service upon which the provider
2.2 Veterinarians &Customers
Veterinarians should give sound professionaladvice in terms customers will understand,as well as information before and duringthe provisions of services, both on the procedure it is intended to pursue toachieve the desired objective (treatmentoptions, prognoses, possible side effects)and on the fees involved.
Veterinarians should give information aboutemergency services systems where necessary.
knows or can ascertain by reasonable inquirythat another provider of veterinary serviceshas an existing contract with the same customer, should notify the other provider.
Veterinarians should deliver only those services for which they are competent.Veterinarians should help the client to findanother veterinarian who is capable of providing the service asked for.
Veterinarians should acknowledge the contribution made to their services byorganisations representing the veterinaryprofession. According to their possibility andability, they should support the professionalrepresentation (suggestions, criticism, exercising voting rights...).
2.4 Veterinarians & VeterinaryTeam
Veterinarians should treat their colleaguesand their staff in a fair and reasonable wayand assure them a fair salary.
Veterinarians should encourage and ensurethe continual improvement of the professionaland/or technical knowledge and skills oftheir personnel.
Veterinarians and their staff should beinsured for legal and professional liability.
Veterinarians should support the professionaldevelopment of the next generation of veterinarians.
EUROPEAN VETERINARY CODE OF CONDUCT 13
2.1 Veterinarians &Animals
Veterinarians should be aware of the particular ethical status of animals as sentientbeings and the veterinary responsibility foranimal health and animal welfare.
Veterinarians should always take intoaccount the five freedoms for assessing animal welfare :
■ Freedom from hunger and thirst,■ Freedom from pain, injury and disease,■ Freedom from fear and distress,■ Freedom to express normal behaviour,■ Freedom from discomfort.
Veterinarians should use the least stressfultechniques necessary for a sound diagnosisand treatment.
Veterinarians should attempt to relieve animals of pain and suffering as soon aspossible; if the condition is untreatable,they should perform euthanasia (killing withas little pain, distress and fear as possible).
Veterinarians should consider to euthanize ananimal even without the owner’s permissionin urgent cases, in which there are no medical means to prevent excessive sufferingof the animal (in case of accident, first aidetc., when the owner of the animal may notbe present or cannot be contacted). Prior totaking such a decision, however, all possibletreatments should have been carefully
considered and ruled out in all conscienceand to the best of one's knowledge, assuming full responsibility for the act.
When aware of violations to animal welfarelegislation, veterinarians should immediatelybring this to the attention of the owner ofthe animal(s) and do everything within theirpower to solve the problem.Where applicable, in these specified circumstances, veterinarians should report it to the appropriate legal authority.
Beyond first aid, veterinarians should onlyundertake veterinary services where theypossess adequate knowledge and abilities :if they do not, veterinarians should refer thecase to a veterinarian with the appropriateknowledge and skills.
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2 Further recommendations on implementation of core values.These values should be taken into account in allrevisions of national Codes of Conduct with a view to their progressive implementation aimed atgreater protection of recipients and a higher qualityof services.
2.5 Veterinarians & CompetentAuthorities
Veterinarians should fulfil, wheneverrequired, promptly and in accordance withthe instructions given, the obligations ofpublic service which they undertake onbehalf of the Competent Authorities.
When veterinarians are required byCompetent Authorities to perform tasks forthe customer of another veterinarian, andwhen asked by the customer to perform anytask other than these, veterinarians shouldinform the other veterinarian.
Veterinarians should not commence any formof proceedings against a colleague withoutfirst informing the Competent Authorities towhich they both belong, specially if they arefrom different Member States : they suchgive Competent Authorities concerned anopportunity to assist in reaching a settlement.
2.6 Veterinarians &Society
Veterinarians should make animal ownersaware of their responsibilities to the public.
Veterinarians should, whenever appropriate,advise their customers about measures tominimise the risk of zoonotic agents, foodborne pathogens, residues, contaminants(biological and chemical agents) and anti-microbial resistance.
2.7 Veterinarians &Environment
Veterinarians should attempt to reduce pollution of the environment by appropriateuse of disinfectants, medicinal products andother chemicals. Veterinarians shouldencourage customers to do the same.
Veterinarians should aim to be environmen-tally responsible by the economical use ofenergy and water.
Veterinarians should organise facilities forseparate collection of different types of wasteso that they can be sent to the appropriaterecycling points
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Bibliography
1. FVE (2002) European Code ofGood veterinary practice
2. ACE (2005) EuropeanDeontological Code forproviders of ArchitecturalServices
3. CCBE (2006) Code of Conductfor European Lawyers
4. CEPLIS (2006) Common Valuesof the Liberal Professions inthe European Union
5. EC - Treaty establishing theEuropean Community
6. EC (2005) Directive2005/36/CE on recognition ofprofessional qualifications
7. EC (2006) Directive2006/123/CE on Services inthe Internal Market
8. EC (2007) Handbook onimplementation of theServices directive
9. EC (2007) DG internal market- Développer la qualité desservices dans le marchéintérieur : le rôle des codesde conduite européens
10. OIE Standards (2007)Terrestrial Animal HealthCode
Annex 1Ref: Directive 2005/36/CEon recognition of professional qualifications
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:255:0022:0142:EN:PDF
1. The training of veterinarysurgeons shall comprise a totalof at least 5 years full-time theoretical and practical studyat a university or at a higherinstitute […] covering at leastthe study programme referredto in Annex V, point 5.4.1. […].
2. Admission to veterinarytraining shall be contingent uponpossession of a diploma or certificate entitling the holderto enter, for the studies inquestion, university establish-ments or institutes of highereducation recognised by aMember State to be of anequivalent level for the purpose of the relevant study.
3. Training as a veterinary surgeon shall provide anassurance that the person inquestion has acquired the following knowledge and skills:(a) adequate knowledge of the
sciences on which theactivities of the veterinarysurgeon are based;
(b) adequate knowledge of thestructure and functions ofhealthy animals, of their
husbandry, reproductionand hygiene in general, aswell as their feeding,including the technologyinvolved in the manufactureand preservation of foodscorresponding to theirneeds;
(c) adequate knowledge of thebehaviour and protection ofanimals;
(d) adequate knowledge of thecauses, nature, course,effects, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases ofanimals, whether consideredindividually or in groups,including a special know-ledge of the diseases whichmay be transmitted tohumans;
(e) adequate knowledge of preventive medicine;
(f) adequate knowledge of thehygiene and technologyinvolved in the production,manufacture and puttinginto circulation of animalfoodstuffs or foodstuffs ofanimal origin intended forhuman consumption;
(g) adequate knowledge of thelaws, regulations andadministrative provisionsrelating to the subjects listed above;
(h) adequate clinical and otherpractical experience underappropriate supervision.
Annex 2OIE standards:Terrestrial Animal HealthCode (2007)
Chapter 3.1: Evaluationof veterinary services
http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/Mcode/en_chapitre_1.3.1.htm
Article 3.1.1.:The quality of the VeterinaryServices depends on a set offactors, which include fundamental principles of anethical, organisational andtechnical nature. The Veterinary Services shallconform to these fundamentalprinciples, regardless of thepolitical, economic or socialsituation of their country. […]
Article 3.1.2.:Fundamental principles of quality The Veterinary Servicesshall comply with the following principles to ensure the qualityof their activities: Professionaljudgement […], Independence[…], Impartiality […], Integrity[…], Objectivity […], Generalorganisation […], Quality policy[…], Procedures and standards[…], Information, complaints andappeals […], Documentation[…], Self-evaluation […],Communication […] andHuman and financial resources[…].
FVE Working GroupCode of Conduct
■ Catherine Roy France - Chair
■ Walter Winding Austria
■ Jörg Peter Luy Germany
■ Henrik Ericsson Sweden
■ Jan Bernardy Czech Republic
■ Lynne Hill UK
■ Frank Gasthuys observer EBVS
■ Stephen Ware UK - alternate for WalterWinding
■ Nancy De Briyne Secretariat
The Working Group was formedin September 2006. The draftCode of Conduct was adoptedin the FVE General Assembly ofVienna in May 2008.
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01The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe(FVE) is the representative body for approximately 200,000 veterinarians in 38 European countries. The GeneralAssembly comprises representatives from 46 national organisations, including regulatoryauthorities, and 4 international groups representing specific spheres of activity.
VETERINARY ACT 17
02The veterinary profession is a well-educatedand trained liberal profession, practising awide range of activities on the basis of specific qualifications which are not just limited to private clinical practice. These qualifications provide intellectual andpractical services to clients and patients andto the general public in a personal, responsibleand independent manner. The veterinary profession is also a regulated profession. In order to avoid inferior services whichcould harm animal health and welfare, aswell as public health, access to and thepractise of veterinary medicine and surgeryis subject to adequate training for the particular purpose and to registration and/orcontrol by national competent authorities.
03The European public has come to demand ahigh level of protection of animal welfare forall species, and a high degree of qualityassurance in the ethical production of foodof animal origin as the profession assists insafeguarding both animal and public health.Companion animals have become even moreimportant as ‘members of the family’.
04The FVE is concerned that there are toomany people carrying out veterinary taskswithout a clear mission, or without appropriate education or training. In manycountries groups of non-veterinarians whoperform certain ‘veterinary tasks’ are alreadyestablished. Increasingly, these groups wish to undertake more of the traditionalveterinary work and, in some countries atleast, there are moves by government bodiesto undermine the role of the veterinarian andto encourage the transfer of the veterinaryrole to others.
02Veterinary Act
07Such restrictions are in the interests ofensuring that animals are treated only bypeople qualified to do so.
FVE has therefore adoptedthe following definition ofveterinary acts :
Definition of veterinary acts
A. all material or intellectual interven-tions that have as their objective todiagnose, treat, or prevent mentalor physical disease, injury, pain, ordefect in an animal, or to determinethe health and welfare status of an animal or group of animals, particularly its physiological status;including the prescription of veterinary medicines;
B. all interventions that cause orhave the potential to cause pain;
C. all invasive interventions;
D. all veterinary interventions, includingfood or feed chain activities,affecting public health;
E. veterinary certification relating toany of the above.
06The FVE believes that the veterinary profession should be acknowledged as possessing a unique competence and expertise which can guarantee a high levelof animal health and welfare, as well asbringing an important contribution to humanhealth and public safety. However, the purpose of this paper is not to protect theveterinary profession but to protect the welfare and improve the health of animals.FVE accepts that some veterinary Acts maybe delegated to non-veterinarians but takesthe view that such persons should be appropriately trained for what they do.
05Where veterinary acts are undefined andunregulated, there is a danger that the welfare of animals and the reputation of theveterinary profession may suffer, and animaland public health are compromised.
08
18 VETERINARY ACT VETERINARY ACT 19
09Criterion (a) emphasises the traditional roleof the veterinarian in the art as well as thescience of veterinary medicine and surgery,whereas the remaining criteria refer to themore practical aspects of veterinary activities.It should be noted that some interventionsmay be either material or intellectual, orboth, and may also satisfy either one ormore of the criteria.
10The FVE strongly believes that the acts ofexamination, diagnosis, recommendationsfor subsequent action, and the prescriptionof medicines or surgery are all stronglylinked and must be the exclusive preserve ofthe veterinarian. A diagnosis cannot bemade without examination, either physicalexamination of the animal or investigativeexamination of samples. A treatment cannotbe recommended or a surgical interventionperformed without an examination and adiagnosis. The same applies to a veterinaryprescription.
11The FVE makes the same argument inrespect of the role of the veterinarian undertaking official tasks, who has anequally important role in Animal Health,Public Health and Animal Welfare.
12Only a veterinarian can take the holisticapproach in any given situation and, in addition to the application of scientific principles, to exercise the art of veterinarymedicine and surgery by virtue of evidencebased scientific knowledge and establishedexperience.
13The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Codedefines ‘veterinary paraprofessional’ as follows; a person who, for the purposes ofthe Terrestrial Code, is authorised by theveterinary statutory body to carry out certaindesignated tasks (dependent upon the category of veterinary para-professional) ina country, and delegated to them under theresponsibility and direction of a veterinarian.The tasks authorized for each category ofveterinary para-professional should bedefined by the veterinary statutory bodydepending on qualifications and training,and according to need.
14FVE accepts the delegation of certaintasks/interventions to those who are technically and legally competent and subjectto varying levels of veterinary supervisionappropriate to the specific task. Such delegation can be encouraged in theinterests of the client, the consumer, and thegeneral public, which has a right to expecteconomic activities as well as ethical procedures in terms of welfare and the environment.
15In the course of encouraging the delegationof certain tasks it is expected that anomaliessurrounding the current legality/illegalitycan be removed. It must also be expectedthat para-professionals are properly trainedin full cooperation with the veterinary profession in certain, limited, procedureswhich provides effective treatment for allanimals and ensures enhanced public confidence in the production of safe foodand in the veterinary profession.
20 VETERINARY ACT VETERINARY ACT 21
17Overall, based on models already establishedin the medical health professions we canforesee a general, and sometimes specialised, competence for veterinarians(who are basically qualified to carry out allinterventions) and specific or restricted competences for clearly identified professionsor activities.
18In conclusion, differences in historical andcultural backgrounds between countries andpeople have led to diversity in national legislation. Ever growing international contacts and the increasing number of veterinarians providing cross-border servicesor establishing in other countries have created a need for a clear, practical andinternational definition of veterinary acts.There is an unbreakable link between animal health (whatever the species), animal welfare, food safety and publichealth and welfare. It is the veterinarian whooccupies a pivotal position within that chain.
16However, certain principles should beestablished first.
A. Law and practise must conform. It is notacceptable that the different groups shouldbe given the legal right to care for animalsor to undertake certain interventionswithout an equal legal obligation for competence and regulation.
B. The competence of the individual must be assured
C. It is necessary to determine the level ofresponsibility and the relationship withthe veterinarian who may have overallresponsibility and control, for example :
I. interventions may be carried out underthe authority of and/or in the presence ofthe veterinarian
II. interventions may be carried out underthe authority of the veterinarian who isable to intervene in an emergency
III. interventions carried out in the absenceof the veterinarian
IV. independent or autonomous interventions
D. the level of legal responsibility must be proportional to the level of practicalresponsibility.
Austria
Österreichische TierärztekammerBiberstraße 22 - 1010 WienTel : +43 (0)1 512 17 66Fax: +43 (0)1 512 14 70Email: [email protected] www.tieraerztekammer.at
Belgium
Union Professionnelle Vétérinaire (UPV)Rue des Frères Grisleins 11 - 1400 NivellesTel : +32 (0)67 21 21 11Fax: +32 (0)67 21 21 14Email : [email protected]
Vlaamse Dierenartsenvereniging v.z.w. (VDV)Hoogkamerstraat 40 - 9100 Sint-NiklaasTel :+32 (0)3 780 59 90Fax: +32 (0)3 776 91 59Email : [email protected]
Bosnia/Herzegovina
Veterinary Chamber of the Republic of SRPSKACarice Milice 46 - 78000 Banja LukaRepublika SrpskaTel : +387 51 466 321Fax: +387 51 466 321Email : [email protected]
Bulgaria
Chamber of the Veterinary Practitioners in Bulgaria57 Osvobojdenie Boulevard - 6300 HaskovoTel : +359 (0)38 624 841Fax: +359 (0)38624 841Email : [email protected]
Union of the Veterinarians in Bulgaria (UVSB)1 Adam Mitskevich Street - 1360 SofiaTel : +359 (0)2 925 03 19Fax: +359 (0)2 925 07 62Email : [email protected]
Croatia
Croatian Veterinary Chamber/HrvatskaVeterinarska KomoraPlaninska 2b - 10000 ZagrebTel : +385 1 2441 021Fax: +385 1 2441 009Email : [email protected]
Societas Veterinaria Croatica/CroatianVeterinary SocietyHrgovici 63 - 10 000 ZagrebTel : +385 1 383 07 57Fax: +385 1 383 17 78Email: [email protected]://www.hvd.hr/
Cyprus
Pancyprian Veterinary AssociationPO Box 25284 - 1308 Nicosia
Tel : +357 2 49 66 25Fax: +357 2 49 66 25Email : [email protected]
Czech Republic
Komora veterinarnich lekaru CeskéRepubliky/The Chamber of VeterinarySurgeons of the Czech RepublicPalackeho 1-3 - 61242 BrnoTel : +420 541 562 198Tel : +420 549 256 407Fax: +420 549 256 407 Email : [email protected] www.vetkom.cz
Denmark
Den Danske Dyrlaegeforening (DDD) / Danish Veterinary AssociationEmdrupvej 28A - DK-2100 København ØTel : +45 38 71 08 88 Fax: +45 38 71 03 22 Email : [email protected]/
Estonia
Eesti Loomaarstide Ühing (ELÜ) / Estonian Veterinary AssociationKreutzwaldi 62, 51014 TartuTel : +372 74 22 582Mob: +372 50 11 882Fax: +372 74 22 582Email : [email protected] www.vet.ee
Finland
Suomen Eläinlääkäriliitto / Finnish Veterinary AssociationMäkelänkatu 2 C - 00500 HelsinkiTel : +358 9 7745 4819Fax: +358 9 7745 4818Email : [email protected]
France
Ordre des Vétérinaires Conseil Supérieur34 rue Bréguet - 75011 ParisTel : +33 1 53 36 16 00Fax: +33 1 53 36 16 01Email : [email protected]/
Syndicat National des Vétérinairesd'Exercice Libéral (SNVEL)10 place Léon Blum - 75011 ParisTel : +33 1 44 93 30 00Fax: +33 1 44 93 30 23Email : [email protected]; www.vetopro.fr
FYROM
Macedonian Veterinary ChamberUl. Lazar Pop Trajkov 5-7 - 1000 SkopjeTel : +389 2 32 40 733Fax: +389 2 31 14 619Email : [email protected]
Germany
BundestierärztekammerOxfordstraße 10 - 53111 BonnTel : +49 228 72 54 60Fax: +49 228 72 54 666 Email : [email protected] www.bundestieraerztekammer.de
Greece
Hellenic Veterinary AssociationChalkokondyli 15 - 10432 AthensTel : +30 210 52 26 769Tel : +30 210 52 02 901Fax: +30 210 52 02 935Email : [email protected];[email protected]
Hungary
Magyar Állatorvosi Kamara (MAOK)Istvan ut 2 - 1078, BudapestTel : +36 1 478 42 72Fax: +36 1 478 42 82Email : [email protected]
Iceland
Dyralæknafélag IslandsPostholf 10263 - 110 ReykjavikTel : +354 (0) 89 79 320Fax: +354 (0) 5409901Email : [email protected]
Ireland
Veterinary Council of Ireland53 Lansdowne Road - Ballsbridge - Dublin 4Tel : +353 (0)1 668 4402Fax: +353 (0)1 660 43 73Email : [email protected]
Veterinary Ireland13 The Courtyard - Kilcarbery Park Nangor road - Dublin 22Tel : +353 1 457 7976Fax: +353 1 457 7998Email : [email protected]
Italy
Federazione Nazionale degli Ordini DeiVeterinari Italiani (FNOVI)Via del Tritone 125 - 00187 RomeTel : +39 (0)06 488 11 90Tel : +39 (0)06 485 923Fax: +39 (0)06 474 43 32Email : [email protected]; [email protected] www.fnovi.it
Latvia
Latvijas Veterinararstu BiedribaSkolas iela 3 - 1010 RigaTel : +371 7 288747Fax: +371 7 288747Email : [email protected]
Lithuania
Lietuvos Veterinarijos Gydytoju Asociacija(LVGA) / Lithuanian Veterinary AssociationTilzes g. 18 - 47181 KaunasTel : +370 37 26 79 71 Fax: +370 37 26 79 71Email : [email protected]/lvga
Luxembourg
Association des Médecins Vétérinaires duGrand-Duché de Luxembourg31 om Biereg - LU - 9972 LielerTel : +352 (0)97 95 95Fax: +352 (0)26 95 70 77Email : [email protected]
Malta
Malta Veterinary Associationc/o Federation of Professional BodiesSliema Road - GziraTel : +356 7922 5363 Fax: +356 2149 2174 Email : [email protected]
Montenegro
Veterinary Chamber of MontenegroBul. Dzordza Vasingtona bb, p.fah 4381000 Podgorica Email : [email protected]
Netherlands
Koninklijke Nederlandse Maatschappij voorDiergeneeskunde (KNMvD) / The RoyalVeterinary Association of the NetherlandsPostbus 421 - NL - 3990 GE HoutenTel : +31 (0)30 63 48 900 Fax: +31 (0)30 63 48 909Email : [email protected]
Norway
Den Norske Veterinærforening (DNV)Postboks 6781 St. Olavs pl. - 0130 OsloTel : +47 (0)22 99 46 00Fax: +47 (0) 22 99 46 01Email : [email protected]
Poland
Krajowa Izba Lekarsko-WeterynaryjnaAl. Przyjaciól 1 - 00-565 WarszawaTel : +48 (0)22 622 09 55Tel : +48 (0)22 628 93 35Fax: +48 (0)22 628 93 35Email : [email protected]
Portugal
Ordem dos Médicos VeterináriosRua Gomes Freire Edif Escola Sup MedicinaVeterinária Lisboa - 1169-014 LisboaTel : +351 (0)213 129 370Fax: +351 (0)213 129 379Email : [email protected]
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Iceland
■ 86 ■ 0.3
Turkey
■ 11500 ■ 76.8
Greece
■ 2700 ■ 10.7
Albania
■ 2500 ■ 3.6
FYROM
■ 240 ■ 2.05
Norway
■ 1700 ■ 4.6
Sweden
■ 1900 ■ 9
Finland
■ 1300 ■ 5.2
Denmark
■ 2200 ■ 5.43
SlovakRepublic
■ 2800 ■ 5.43Hungary
■ 3300 ■ 9.9
CzechRepublic
■ 3200 ■ 10.24
Germany
■ 23000 ■ 82.3
Austria
■ 2800 ■ 8.2
Slovenia
■ 1000 ■ 2.01Switzerland
■ 3400 ■ 7.6
Luxembourg
■ 100 ■ 0.5
Estonia
■ 800 ■ 1.3
Latvia
■ 1400 ■ 2.2
Lithuania
■ 1928 ■ 3.6
Poland
■ 9541 ■ 38.5
Ukraine
■ 20000 ■ 45.7
Bulgaria
■ 5080 ■ 7.2
Romania
■ 7400 ■ 22.2
Malta
■ 150 ■ 0.4Serbia
■ 3096 ■ 7,4
Montenegro
■ 120 ■ 0,7
Cyprus
■ 150 ■ 0.8
Spain
■ 23000 ■ 40.5
UK
■ 14771 ■ 60.44
Netherlands
■ 4599 ■ 16.7
Italy
■ 19000 ■ 58.1
Bosnia/Herzegovina
■ 300 ■ 4.6
Croatia
■ 1100 ■ 4.5
Ireland
■ 2000 ■ 4.2
Belgium
■ 5500 ■ 10.4
France
■ 13000 ■ 64.0
Portugal
■ 3500 ■ 10.7
Sindicato Nacional dos MédicosVeterináriosRua Victor Cordon 30, 2-ESQ - 1200 LisboaTel : +351 (0)213 430 661Fax: +351 (0)213 465 929Email : [email protected]
Romania
Asociatia Generala a Medicilor Veterinaridin Romania (AGMVR) / The GeneralAssociation of Romanian VeterinariansSpl. Independentei 105 sect. 5050097 BucurestiTel : +40 (0)21 319 44 93Fax: +40 (0)21 319 44 92Email : [email protected]
College Of Romanian VeterinariansSpl. Independentei 105 sect. 5050097 BucurestiTel : +40 21 319 45 04Fax: +40 21 319 45 04Email : [email protected];[email protected]
Slovak Republic
Komora veterinárnych lekárov SlovenskejRepublikyBotanická 17 - 841 04 Bratislava Tel : +421 (0)2 65443212 Fax: +421 (0)2 65443213 Email : [email protected] www.veterina.sk
Slovenia
Veterinarska ZbornicaCesta 24. junija 25 - 1231 Ljubljana Tel : +386 (0) 1 56 32 670Fax: +386 (0) 1 56 32 669Email : [email protected] www.vzb.si
Serbia
Veterinary Chamber of Serbia/VeterinarskaKomora SrbijeBulevar Oslobodjenja 18 - 11129 BeogradTel : +381 11 2684 597Fax: +381 11 2685 619Email : [email protected]
Spain
Consejo General de Colegios Veterinarios deEspaña (CGCVE)C/ Villanueva 11 - 28001 Madrid Tel : +34 (0)9 1435 35 35 Fax: +34 (0)9 157 834 68Email : [email protected]
Sweden
Sveriges Veterinärförbund (SVF)Kungsholm Hamnplan 7Box 12709 SE - 11294 Stockholm Tel : +46 (0)8 545 558 20 Fax: +46 (0)8 545 558 39
Email : [email protected]
Switzerland
Gesellschaft Schweizer Tierärztinnen undTierärzte / Société des Vétérinaires SuissesBrunnmattstrasse 13 - Case postale 453174 Thörishaus Tel : +41 (0)31 307 35 35Fax: +41 (0)31 307 35 39Email : [email protected] www.gstsvs.ch
Turkey
Türk Veteriner Hekimleri BirligiDr. Mediha Eldem Sokak No:73/806640 Kocatepe, AnkaraTel : +90 (0) 312 435 54 15 Tel : +90 (0) 312 430 66 57Fax: +90 (0) 312 435 18 53Email : [email protected]
United Kingdom
British Veterinary Association (BVA)7 Mansfield Street - W1G 9NQ LondonTel : +44 (0)20 7636 6541Fax: +44 (0)20 7908 6349Email : [email protected]
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)Belgravia House - 62-64 Horseferry RoadSW1P 2AF LondonTel : +44 (0)20 7222 2001 Fax: +44 (0)20 7222 2004 Email : [email protected] www.rcvs.org.uk
Observers:
Albania
Albanian Chamber of Veterinary SurgeonsP.O. Box 50 - TiranaTel : +355 42 272 343Fax: +355 42 272 343Email : [email protected]
Ukraine
Association of Veterinarians of UkraineVasylkivska str., 16 - 03040 KyivTel : +38 (0)40 257 19 92Fax: +38 (0)40 257 19 92Email : [email protected]
■ Nr of active Vets (data 2005)
■ Nr of inhabitants (millions)
Rue Defacqz, 1 B - 1000 BruxellesTel. 32 2 533 70 20 - Fax. 32 2 537 28 [email protected] - www.fve.org
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe
