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About FVE
FVE Policy Areas
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 Animal Health is one of the core competences
of the veterinary profession. The prevention and control of animal
disease is a major concern and task for the veterinary profession. FVE focuses on placing veterinarians in the centre of this role
on creating the appropriate conditions to fulfil their responsibilities.
One point that concerns FVE to a great extent is the lack of veterinarians
in farm animal practice, particularly in rural areas. Adequate
veterinary presence on all livestock holdings is necessary and FVE
calls for the development of herd health surveillance programs involving
regular visits by practicing veterinarians.
FVE believes that there
is a need for reviewing and re-enforcing bio-security measures at
farm level. Most of the current emerging diseases are zoonoses and affect both
animals and humans and therefore require a unified approach between veterinary
and human medicine. Such a 'One Health' approach will benefit animal
and human health worldwide.
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 The promotion and protection of animal welfare is one of the core competences of a well-educated veterinarian. The veterinary profession in particular possesses the full range of knowledge and skills necessary to assess animal welfare, to identify the causes of sub-optimal welfare and to make recommendations for its correction.
FVE works to improve the teaching of animal welfare, both within the veterinary undergraduate curriculum and in lifelong learning programmes.
FVE will also seek to raise awareness among individual veterinarians about their responsibility to protect the welfare of animals under their care.
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 The competences of veterinarians are the most important aspect of their work. But competence is not static; it is not fixed for life when veterinary graduates are licensed to practice their profession. So, as science and ethics advance and evolve, veterinarians must follow life long learning to maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills.
The Federation works with the European Association of Establishments
of Veterinary Education (EAEVE)
in the evaluation of European Veterinary Faculties and pledges closer
cooperation with the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS)
in the training and recognition of European Veterinary Specialists
over a wide range of disciplines.
FVE actively tackles issues surrounding the concepts of graduate
Omni competence, -accreditation and consults with others in making
recommendations for the future development of veterinary curricula,
so that they continue to satisfy the changing needs of society.
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| Food Safety and Public Health |
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 Veterinary public health
impacts human health by reducing exposure to hazards arising from
animals, animal products and their environment. Examples of these
hazards include zoonoses, vector borne infections and other communicable
diseases, and chemicals and drugs used in animals.
Regarding the role of the veterinary profession in public health,
FVE concentrates on continuing to position the veterinary profession
as a Health Profession.
Control of zoonotic diseases, responsible
use of medicines and ensuring the safety and quality of food from
animal origin by monitoring the food chain are but a few examples
of the way in which veterinarians in different positions contribute
to human health.
FVE focuses on the implementation of the food hygiene package. In
all parts of the chain, from "feed to fork",
veterinary input should always contribute to assure veterinary issues
such as the health and welfare of the animals and the safety of
consumers.
Most of the current emerging diseases are zoonoses and affect both
animals and
humans and therefore require a unified approach between veterinary
and human medicine. Such a 'One Health' approach will benefit animal
and human health worldwide.
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 FVE raises the awareness of the individual
veterinarian towards their legal obligations in relation to the
prescription, safekeeping, use, supply and disposal of medicinal
products. Prudent use of antibiotics is an integral part of good
veterinary practices. Side-effects shall be recorded according to
general pharmacovigilance principles.
A serious threat for the protection of animal health is the decreasing
availability of veterinary medicinal products especially for MUMS
(minor uses, minor species).Helpful steps to improve the situation are the introduction of the
extrapolation of MRLs (maximum residue limits), the cascade system
(allowing veterinarians to use - in exceptional cases - medicines
that are authorised for other indications and species), the list
of products essential for the treatment of horses and the assessment
of a group to coordinate the mutual recognition of marketing authorisations.
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 Veterinary Medicine is one of the so called 'liberal professions': those that require training in the liberal arts or sciences for the development of intellectual skills. They are practised on the basis of professional qualifications, and provide intellectual services to the clients and the general public in a personal, responsible and independent manner. It is governed by rules laid down by competent authorities and by the professional body itself. Access to and practice of the profession is controlled and subject to the possession of certain skills and qualifications.
Disciplinary systems are put in place in order to maintain standards and level to prevent or stop poor professional conduct.
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