OIE Guidelines (Definitions)

Veterinary Statutory Body (VSB)

• An autonomous authority regulating
veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessional
• Among other things, it verifies the validity and
the level of the veterinary degree diploma and
training required to exercise the veterinary
profession
• Usually referred to as “Veterinary Board or
Council”
• Established under Government Act.
Veterinarian and Veterinary Para-professional

• Veterinarian: means a person registered or licensed

by the veterinary statutory body of a country to
practice veterinary medicine/ science in that
country.
• Veterinary Para-professional: means a person
authorized by the veterinary statutory body to carry
out certain designated task (depending upon the
category of veterinary para-professional) in a
territory, delegated to them under the responsibility
and direction of a veterinarian.
• The task authorized for each category of
veterinary para-professional should be defined
by the veterinary statutory body.
 Why Veterinary Profession has to be
regulated
• Veterinary profession’s primary root are in
agriculture, public health and comparative
biology with unifying themes of;
– Raising livestock productivity to enhance food
security
– Improving human health by preventing zoonotic
diseases, and
– Studying mechanism of disease affecting human
and other animals
• Veterinary profession is not just a craft, trade,
labour … …
• It is a specialized but liberal profession (free
from or lacking guided procedures)
• It requires combination of science,
knowledge /skill, ethics/attitude to provide
objective, independent and impartial services
• Therefore, it has to be regulated to:
– Uphold technical standards of the profession and
– Protect consumer
How VSB differs from Veterinary Authority
and Veterinary Professional Association
Veterinary Professional Association
• Is a pressure group of rational delivery of
veterinary services as a vehicle for
professional improvement
• It takes credible advocacy role for the public
interest and to promote the interest of the
professional
• Its professionalism helps to shield veterinarian
as a group as well as individually from
inappropriate political pressure
• It serves as a forum for communication based
on common socialization between public
service veterinarians and their peers in private
practice and industry.
• Not established under Government Act
Veterinary Authority: means the government
authority comprising veterinarians, other
professionals and para-professionals having the
responsibility and competence for ensuring or
supervising the:
– Implementation of animal health and welfare issues
– International veterinary certification
– Other standards and recommendations in the OIE
Terrestrial Code.
– Established under Government Act.
 OIE guidelines for VSB
Objectives and Functions
• To regulate the veterinary and paraveterinary
professionals through licensing and/or registration
of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals
• To determine the minimum standards of
education (initial and continuing) required for
degree, diplomas and certificates entitling the
holders thereof to be registered as veterinarians
and veterinary paraprofessionals
• To determine the standards of professional
conduct of veterinarians and veterinary
paraprofessionals and to ensure these
standards are met.
 Legislative basis, autonomy and functional
capacity;
• The Veterinary Statutory Body should be able
to demonstrate that it has the capacity
supported by appropriate legislations to
exercise and enforce control over all
veterinarians and veterinary para-
professionals.
• These controls should include, where
appropriate, compulsory licensing and
registration, minimum standard of education
(initial and continuing) for the recognition of
degrees, diplomas and certificates, setting
standard of professional conduct and
excersing control and the application of
disciplinary procedures.
• The veterinary statutory body should be able
to demonstrate autonomy from undue
political and commercial interests.
• Where applicable, regional agreements for the
recognition of degrees, diplomas and
certificates for veterinary and veterinary para-
professionals should be demonstrated.
 Membership and representation
• Clear criteria for membership and method and
duration of appointments of members. Such
information should include;
– Election procedure and duration of appointment
– Qualification required for the members
 VSB summary
• VSB has a responsibility in the licensing or
registration of the professionals, for setting
and monitoring of professional standards and
for discipline
• Determines the minimum standards of
education required for degree, diplomas and
certificates entitling the holders to carryout
the profession
• Indispensable for the well functioning of the
veterinary service and the protection of
animal health, animal welfare and public
health
• A veterinary statutory body must be
established in all OIE member countries
complying with the code.