The second year of celebrating
The World Veterinary Day celebration in Serbia was initiated in 2008. by Serbian Veterinary Society, the oldest Serbian veterinary organization, established in 1890.
As it was in the last year, Serbian Veterinary Chamber joined SVS in 2009. celebration.

Following this year's theme: "Veterinarians and livestock farmers, a winning partnership" a serial of media events was organized, in order to convey the main messages to the public in Serbia.

The celebration started on April 22. with the Press conference in Subotica, held by Dr. Zoran Katrinka, Secretary of Serbian Veterinary Society. It is not by chance that we chose the Earth's Day for the beginning of Serbian WVD events. The majority of 600 million farmers in the world live and raise cattle in extensive way and in severe conditions: shortage of food, drinking water, veterinary attendance... Even in Serbia today, there are areas poorly covered with veterinary service.

On the other side, the industrialization of farming in so called 'developed' countries effected the serious over-population of livestock in certain regions. This means threat to both animal and public health, as well as ecological risks.

Veterinarians and farmers share the same destiny, indeed. In order to produce safe and healthy food of animal origin and supply it to the market, both farmers and veterinarians are exposed to various types and degrees of risks. Biological risks, of which much is said and should be talked about, are followed by Climate risks, financial and economic risks and not the least - institutional risks, effected by Government.

In the name of Serbian veterinarians and farmers, a plea was issued to the Serbian Government, to fulfill it's obligations in paying out the subventions to farmers and the performed work done by veterinarians. The delays in payment were not effected, though are aggravated, by the global and in-state economic and financial crisis.

Furthermore, we expect from the Government and law-makers to speed up the delivering of new laws, such as the Farming Act, Food Safety Act, Animal Welfare Act, as well as the new Veterinary Act.

The onset of A/H1N1 threat was a plus motive for the event that concluded the World Veterinary Day Celebration in Serbia. On April 29. , Dr. Zoran Rasic, the President of Serbian Veterinary Chamber, held the Press conference in Jagodina. He stressed that, in spite of problems fore mentioned, Serbian Veterinary Service is well educated, equipped and ready to fulfil it's role in preserving animal health, food safety and public health. The work of Veterinary Service should be treated as a public good in Serbia, in the same manner as it is treated worldwide. Some governmental agencies in Serbia obviously do not partake in respect toward veterinarians.

Dr. Rasic gave a good example of years-tested partnership with farmers, through the work of regional Veterinary Institute and Veterinary Ambulances and the results achieved.

At the end of conference, a thorough information about H1N1influenza and the current epizootical status was given.

Serbian veterinarians will give further attention to farmers through the planned activities in education.
A considerable part will be given to the themes of farming, sustainable development, animal welfare and others, at the following Veterinary Congress to be held in Belgrade, September 2009.

Dr. Zoran Katrinka, Secretary of Serbian Veterinary Society