In recent years we have seen an increasing number of influences on the work of the veterinary profession in Europe.
The European Union has expanded, emphasising the differences in the role of the veterinary surgeon in each member state, or the differences in which that role is applied or controlled. At the same time some member states have been reviewing and updating their veterinary legislation and others expect to do so in the near future.
A veterinary act (task) which is exclusively reserved to veterinarians in one country may commonly be delegated to lay persons in another country. At the present time, it becomes increasingly clear that there are too many people carrying out veterinary tasks without a clear mission, or without minimum education or training.