“No, we can’t” became the rallying cry of Belgian veterinarians earlier this year, as the profession warned that mounting administrative demands were driving colleagues out of practice. ‘It is the number one reason vets leave the profession,’ reported Alain Schonbrodt (UPV) at the FVE General Assembly in Limassol last November.
Administrative and financial pressure
A major part of the administrative burden is linked to antimicrobial traceability, carried out to help safeguard public health. Belgium’s implementation of EU Medicines Regulation 2019/6 introduced a particularly heavy system, with large animal vets facing an estimated €7,000–€12,000 per year in administrative costs — a burden felt most by older and part-time practitioners.
Yes we can : €8 million package secured
That message of despair has now turned into a message of success. On 12 December, a veterinary delegation (see photo) met with Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke and Agriculture and Food Safety Minister David Clarinval, securing a total €8 million package:
- €5 million to support the veterinary profession’s role in tackling antimicrobial resistance
- an exceptional €3 million transitional budget for 2025–2026
- the creation of a new federal consultative body including veterinary representatives and authorities
Further gains for the profession
Mandatory digital antibiotic recording for horses, originally due to start on 1 January 2026, will be postponed by six months. The delay will allow time to finalise the recording system and introduce financial compensation for veterinarians who spend time documenting antibiotic use. In parallel, vet-approved software will become mandatory, and the veterinary profession will take the lead in rolling out electronic prescriptions.
‘Facing the challenges together’
‘We hope the measures announced will genuinely ease some of the administrative pressure vets carry in the name of protecting public health,’ said Ann Criel, who attended the meeting on behalf of Savab. ‘We are particularly encouraged by the plan to create a consultative body bringing together all Belgian veterinary organisations and statutory bodies, so that the challenges facing the profession can be identified and addressed collectively.’
Recognising the veterinary profession
'This is a true recognition of the work vets are doing for One Health, confirmed Léon Théron (UPV), as 'a minister of Health and a minister of Agriculture agree to help vets pursue their mission in protecting society.' He attributed the breakthrough to professional collaboration. 'When veterinary organisations work together as colleagues, everything is achievable,' he said, saluting the collegiality among Belgian veterinary professional bodies.
Main photo: at the 12 December meeting. From left, Luc Nagels (NGROD), Ann Criel (Savab), Frank Vandenbroucke, Laurence De Meester-de Courcy (UPV), David Clarinval, Léonard Théron (UPV), Annelies Janssens (VeDa), Peter Grootveld (VeDa), Benoit Roelants (CRFOV), Johan Nackaerts (Savab).