On 9 September, the FVE Statutory Bodies Working Group (SBWG) met in Brussels to discuss regulatory and professional issues affecting veterinarians across Europe. The group reviewed the FVE Code of Conduct & Veterinary Act, which is to include sections on One Health, artificial intelligence and sustainability, as well as additional definitions to improve inclusiveness and consistency across the European veterinary profession. The revised text, which was last updated in 2019, will be discussed at the November FVE General Assembly in Brussels.
Addressing challenges in veterinary practice
Discussions also covered 24-hour emergency and out-of-hours care, working conditions in corporate veterinary settings, and the impact of actions by national competition authorities. The group also examined veterinary paraprofessionals, the European Commission’s referral of France to the Court of Justice of the EU, and the professional workforce.
At the meeting, recent survey data were presented to help member countries prepare appropriate responses to workforce challenges. Next steps include further work on corporatisation, the regulation of veterinary paraprofessionals, and a common European approach to workforce planning and professional standards.
(photo ©FVE)