WVA Letter to Vets

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WVA Letter to Vets
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The World Veterinary Association is a worldwide non profit association originally established in 1863, and works in the best, long-term interest of veterinarians, clients, cooperative partners and the world society.

The Association is committed to unifying the veterinary profession worldwide, and has members in about 100 countries.

The World Veterinary Association has cooperative contacts with large international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the World Health Organisation, the International office of Epizooties and Codex Alimentarius.

It works closely with these organisations to protect and improve animal welfare, animal and human health and the environment.

The Association is dedicated to setting the highest possible standards for education, ethics and excellence in performance of all aspects of the veterinary profession. It works to attract and retain national, regional and specialist veterinary associations, set up common guidelines, standards, policies and programmes for global use by the veterinary profession.

World Veterinary Day

Each member country is encouraging their members to celebrate this day by organising and participating in activities and events in their own areas.

View our website http://www.worldvet.org for worldwide events.

What veterinarians do?

Traditionally we think of veterinarians as caring for and treating sick and injured animals. However veterinarians are trained for many other roles that perhaps the public are not so familiar with. To describe a few:-

1. Food safety

Veterinarians work with organisations such as Codex Alimentarius and the WHO to ensure international standards are met. They also work to maintain quality control and hygiene in meat and other animal products for export and local consumption. International consumer concern about the safety of food has been heightened by events such as the BSE and dioxin issues. Veterinarians work in this area to reduce the risk of food borne illness to consumers and facilitate market access.

Veterinarians play an important part in everything from 'pasture to plate'('stable to table'). This includes monitoring imports, manufacture and use of agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines, animal health and production, to animal welfare. And can also include working in meat processing establishments ensuring the standards of hygiene and meat inspection produce meat and meat products fit for human consumption, and can be certified for export or home consumption.

2. Border control and quarantine

Veterinarians work in areas of quarantine and border control. These are of vital concern to protect export industries and help safeguard livestock from exotic diseases, such as foot and mouth disease. Veterinarians play an important part in all biosecurity programmes and use scientific methodology to set standards and legislation in these areas.

3. Clinical practices

3.1 Animals kept as pets

Most small urban animal practices use almost as full a range of techniques as a public hospital. In the field of veterinarian medicine this involves the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, in the surgical field, abdominal, thoracic, and orthopaedic surgery is routine. Within companion animal practice specialisation is becoming increasingly common, often requiring the service of ophthalmologists, dermatologists and behaviourists.

3.2 Rural practice

In farming areas, the emphasis is on farm livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, deer and pigs. Veterinarians make an important contribution to the productivity of these animals by assisting with the planning and development of flock and herd health programmes, monitoring the health status and production of the animals. Veterinarians in these practices also have an important part to play in national disease control and eradication schemes, and in looking out for exotic diseases or pests that may be brought into the country.

3.3 Equine practice

Some practitioners specialise in the care of horses, and can make a valuable contribution to their country's economy and sporting achievements. Success in racing requires absolute health and fitness and veterinarians contribute to this.

3.4 Agriculture health and production

Veterinarians have expertise in health, disease, epidermology and medicine that are applied in agriculture. They are becoming increasingly involved in developing new sources of protein for human nutrition.

4. Animal health

Veterinarians play a major role in maintaining the health of animals. This can be at the level of the individual animal, the farm, or the national population.

5. Animal welfare

Veterinarians have the expertise to monitor and manage animal welfare standards. Veterinarians recognise the increasing urban population raises concerns for good animal welfare standards.

6. Research and technical services

Veterinarians contribute to all aspects of animal research and artificial breeding.

Laboratories also provide diagnostic services for veterinary practitioners through testing various samples from their animal patients. These include bacteriology, parasitology, virology, pathology and biochemistry.

Producers of veterinary pharmaceuticals, feedstuffs, and other aids to the maintenance of animal health, employ veterinarians in research, technical and management roles.

7. Wildlife

Veterinary expertise becomes critical in ensuring disease control, translocation and reproductive success in captive or free-living wild animals and birds that are under threat.

8. Environmental protection

The increasing human population is placing more and more pressure on the environment. It is important that resources are not spoiled by the production of food for human and animal use, or by the encroachment of humans into previously natural habitat.

Veterinarians have a wide range of expertise that enables them to contribute effectively to environmental protection.

For further information contact:

Dr Jim Edwards,
Past President
World Veterinary Association
Tel: +64 6 362 6301 Fax: +64 6 362 6302
Tel (mobile) +64 21 631 447
Email: jimedwards@xtra.co.nz