1. Relation with Private Veterinarians
Veterinary Statutory Bodies, Certification procedures
Training Seminar for OIE Delegates from Europe Lyon, 5-6 November 2009
Dr. Caroline Planté
Sub-Regional Representation in Brussels

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
Definitions
Human resources management according to the OIE standards
Sanitary certification

3. DEFINITIONS

4. DEFINITION VETERINARY AUTHORITY
Means the Governmental Authority of a Member Country, comprising veterinarians, other professionals and para-professionals, having the responsibility and competence for ensuring or supervising the implementation of animal health and welfare measures, international veterinary certification and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial Code in the whole country.
Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) :
Vet. Administration + Vet. Authorities = usual definition of VS.
Administration vétérinaire + Autorité vétérinaire = définition courante des SV

5. Veterinarians /Official Vet.
DEFINITION VETERINARIAN – OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN
Veterinary Authority
Veterinarians /Official Vet.
Veterinarian Means a person registered or licensed by the relevant veterinary statutory body of a country to practice veterinary medicine/science in that country.
Official veterinarian Means a veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Authority of the country to perform certain designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the Terrestrial Code.

6. Veterinarians /Official Vet.
DEFINITION VETERINARY PARA-PROFESSIONAL
Veterinary Authority
Veterinarians /Official Vet.
Veterinary para-professionals
Veterinary para-professional Means a person who is authorised by the veterinary statutory body to carry out certain designated tasks (dependent upon the category of VPP) in a territory, and delegated to them under the responsibility and direction of a veterinarian. The tasks authorized for each category of VPP should be defined by the veterinary statutory body depending on qualifications and training, and according to need.

7. DEFINITION VETERINARY PARA-PROFESSIONAL
Examples of Veterinary para-professionals
- Veterinary nurses
- Veterinary technicians
- Community-based animal health workers
- Food inspectors
- Livestock inspectors…
© OIE

8. registered or licensed
DEFINITION VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY
Persons authorised,
registered or licensed
by the
VSB
Veterinary Authority
Veterinary statutory body
Means an autonomous authority regulating veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals.
Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) :[source :
The veterinary statutory body (VSB) / New disposals (May 2004)
The surveillance system for animal diseases have to be guarantied by the public authority, but the public authority may delegate  contract between the State authority and the other surveillance networks, id est:
- Private veterinarians – notion of Sanitary mandate (part-time work on behalf of the Public authority, under a contract) – law disposals, in particular the compulsory notification of events with potential sanitary impact;
- Para-professionals, laboratory workers, technicians, community animal health workers (breeders)
The Code proposes that the statutory body authorizes, registers or licenses all these agents.
Modifications of the Code under consideration (2006?):
to include more details about the VSB
the task of farmers as a sanitary network for surveillance in particular (Community animal health workers, in zones where it is difficult to reach a vet…).
L’organisme statutaire vétérinaire (OSV) / Nouvelles dispositions (Mai 2004)
Le système de surveillance des maladies doit être garanti par la puissance publique, mais celle-ci peut déléguer  contractualisation entre l’Etat et les autres réseaux de surveillance, à savoir:
Les vétérinaires privés – notion de Mandat sanitaire (travail à temps partiel sous contrat avec l’Etat ) – encadré par des dispositions législatives, notamment d’obligation de notifier les évènements ayant un impact sanitaire potentiel…
Les para-professionnels, agents de laboratoires, techniciens (auxiliaires d’élévage), éleveurs (agents communautaires de santé animale) [ formés – rôle en matière de signalement – possibilité de réaliser les 1ers soins…]
Le Code propose que l’organisme statutaire vétérinaire habilite, enregistre ou agrée tous ces agents.
Modifications du Code en cours (2006 ?) :
inclusion de davantage de précisions sur les OSV
la question des réseaux sanitaires d’éleveurs, pour la surveillance en particulier (agents communautaires de santé animale, dans les zones où il est difficile d’avoir un vétérinaire…).
e.g. : Order, Chamber, professional body…

9. The veterinary statutory body (VSB) / New disposals (May 2004)
DEFINITION VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY
Aims of the VSB:
Ensure adherence to ethical codes and standards by veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals
Role in maintaining public and international confidence in VS
Responsible for:
- licensing/registration of PV and VPP
- setting and monitoring of professional standards
- disciplinary measures
Comments (with copyright) / Commentaires (soumis au Copyright) :[source :
The veterinary statutory body (VSB) / New disposals (May 2004)
The surveillance system for animal diseases have to be guarantied by the public authority, but the public authority may delegate  contract between the State authority and the other surveillance networks, id est:
- Private veterinarians – notion of Sanitary mandate (part-time work on behalf of the Public authority, under a contract) – law disposals, in particular the compulsory notification of events with potential sanitary impact;
- Para-professionals, laboratory workers, technicians, community animal health workers (breeders)
The Code proposes that the statutory body authorizes, registers or licenses all these agents.
Modifications of the Code under consideration (2006?):
to include more details about the VSB
the task of farmers as a sanitary network for surveillance in particular (Community animal health workers, in zones where it is difficult to reach a vet…).
L’organisme statutaire vétérinaire (OSV) / Nouvelles dispositions (Mai 2004)
Le système de surveillance des maladies doit être garanti par la puissance publique, mais celle-ci peut déléguer  contractualisation entre l’Etat et les autres réseaux de surveillance, à savoir:
Les vétérinaires privés – notion de Mandat sanitaire (travail à temps partiel sous contrat avec l’Etat ) – encadré par des dispositions législatives, notamment d’obligation de notifier les évènements ayant un impact sanitaire potentiel…
Les para-professionnels, agents de laboratoires, techniciens (auxiliaires d’élévage), éleveurs (agents communautaires de santé animale) [ formés – rôle en matière de signalement – possibilité de réaliser les 1ers soins…]
Le Code propose que l’organisme statutaire vétérinaire habilite, enregistre ou agrée tous ces agents.
Modifications du Code en cours (2006 ?) :
inclusion de davantage de précisions sur les OSV
la question des réseaux sanitaires d’éleveurs, pour la surveillance en particulier (agents communautaires de santé animale, dans les zones où il est difficile d’avoir un vétérinaire…).

10. registered or licensed
DEFINITION VETERINARY SERVICES
Persons authorised
registered or licensed
by the
VSB
Veterinary Authority
Veterinary Services:
Means the governmental and non governmental organisations that implement animal health and welfare measures and other standards and guidelines in the Terrestrial Code in the country. The VS are under the overall control and direction of the Veterinary Authority. Private sector organisations, veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals are normally accredited or approved to deliver functions by the Veterinary Authority.

11. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO THE OIE STANDARDS

12. Avoid the spread of diseases
HUMAN RESOURCES PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
Early detection of diseases
Rapid response
Biosecurity
Monitoring and control of animal diseases
Transparency, notification
Control of Veterinary Medicines
Control/eradicate
Avoid the spread of diseases

13. HUMAN RESOURCES PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
Diagnostic capabilities => sampling techniques => diagnostic tests
© OIE
© ENSV

14. HUMAN RESOURCES PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
Healthy animal production
Protection of Human health (zoonosis + food borne diseases)
© ENSV

15. HUMAN RESOURCES PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
© ENSV
Animal movements control
Protection of the territory
Confidence in Certification
© OIE
© ENSV

16. HUMAN RESOURCES EVALUATION
OIE-PVS Tool : relevant critical competencies
Chap I- Human, physical and financial resources
Section I-1: Professional and technical staffing of the VS
Section I-2: Competencies of veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals
Section I-3: Continuing education …
Chap III- Interaction with stakeholders …
Section III-4: Accreditation/authorisation/delegation
Section III-5: Veterinary Statutory Body

17. HUMAN RESOURCES VETERINARY STATUTORY BODY
Should be defined:
Objectives, powers and functions
e.g.: licensing and/or registration; minimum standards of education; standards of professional conduct
Legislative basis, autonomy and functional capacity
Capacity to enforce control and apply disciplinary procedures; autonomy
Composition and representation of the body’s membership
Accountability and transparency in decision-making
Disciplinary procedures, publication, sentences, mechanisms for appeal
Sources and management of funding
Administration of training programmes and continuing professional development for vets and vet. parap.
Documentation on content, duration, participants ; good vet practices

18. HUMAN RESOURCES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
VS shall comply with following principles to ensure the quality of their activities (Art Terr.Code) :
1. Professional judgement
2. Independence
3. Impartiality
4. Integrity
5. Objectivity
Applicable to all categories of staff

19. HUMAN RESOURCES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
VS should have effective systems for animal disease surveillance and for notification of disease problems (Art Terr.Code) :
Adequate coverage of animal population => territorial meshing
Continuous improvement of animal health information and animal disease control

20. HUMAN RESOURCES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Each position within the VS having an impact on their quality must be described (Art Terr.Code) :
VS should define and document the responsibilities and structure of the organisation in charge of issuing international veterinary certificates :
Organisational charts
Functional responsabilities
Job descriptions / requirements for education, training, technical knowledge
Chain of command

21. Subject to legal disciplinary provisions
HUMAN RESOURCES FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Human resource component should include (Art Ter.Code) :
Core of full-time civil service employees
Must include veterinarians
Should include vet. para-professionals
May include private sector vets and vet. para-prof
Functions to be described in detail : Analyse of adequate skills to undertake the tasks
Need for sufficient number of qualified, experienced field vets
Legislative basis and administrative mechanisms in place
Subject to legal disciplinary provisions

22. HUMAN RESOURCES AUTHORISATION/DELEGATION – PRIVATE VETs
Veterinary Services may accredit/ authorise/ delegate the private sector (e.g. private veterinarians), to carry out official tasks on its behalf.
=> To be described:
Accreditation standards
Responsibilities and/or limitation applying to the private vets.

23. HUMAN RESOURCES AUTHORISATION/DELEGATION – PRIVATE VETs
Examples of what can be delegated to private veterinarians:
Animal disease surveillance and monitoring ; reporting
Implementation of disease control measures including vaccinations
Food/Feed inspection …

24. HUMAN RESOURCES AUTHORISATION/DELEGATION – PRIVATE VETs
Examples of what can be delegated to private sector:
Support to public service in case of epizootics
Visits of animals
Counting and marking
Isolation
Vaccination or treatment
Slaughtering of sick or contaminated animals
Necessary samplings for diagnostics or epidemiological surveys …

25. HUMAN RESOURCES AUTHORISATION/DELEGATION – PRIVATE VETs
Advantages:
provides the practitioner with a predictable activity representing a economical base to settle his practice.
insures the State with an efficient shift in terms of epidemio- surveillance through the network of sanitary vets spread all over the country.
Authorisation/Delegation is a key factor of the professional privatisation and a guarantee of efficacy for the success of the sanitary policy and the improvement of VS in general.

26. HUMAN RESOURCES AUTHORISATION/DELEGATION – PRIVATE VETs
Requirements:
=> Strong partnership, understanding of mutual responsibilities
=> Essential to come to agreements and build formal links during “peace time”
Tasks & responsibilities
Procedures
Chain of command
Fees and costs
Reporting and record keeping
Etc.

27. SANITARY CERTIFICATION

28. CERTIFICATION TERR. CODE’s REQUIREMENTS
Certificate
General considerations:
Section 3 – Quality of Veterinary Services
Chapter 3.1 – Veterinary Services
Chapter 3.2 – Evaluation of Veterinary Services
Practical aspects:
Section 5 – Trade measures, import/export procedures and veterinary certification
Chapter 5.1 – General obligations related to certification
Chapter 5.2 – Certification procedures
Chapter 5.10, 5.11, 5.12 – Models of veterinary certificates/passport for horses
So what is in the Codes?
I will only discuss the terrestrial Code in this presentation but the Aquatic Code includes similar information for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

29. CERTIFICATION CONFIDENCE - RESPONSABILITY
Certificate
Compliance with fundamental principles of quality of VS important to establish and maintain confidence in international veterinary certificates established by a Member
The Head of the Veterinary Service, CVO of the exporting country is ultimately accountable for veterinary certification used in international trade.
So what is in the Codes?
I will only discuss the terrestrial Code in this presentation but the Aquatic Code includes similar information for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

30. Veterinary Authority responsible for:
CERTIFICATION CERTIFYING VETERINARIAN
Certificate
Veterinary Authority responsible for:
Authorisation
Definition of functions, duties and conditions covering suspension and termination
Provision of relevant instructions and training
Monitoring to verify their integrity and impartiality.
Certifying veterinarian must:
only certify matters within their knowledge
only sign where certificate completed fully and correctly
have no conflict of interest
So what is in the Codes?
I will only discuss the terrestrial Code in this presentation but the Aquatic Code includes similar information for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

31. - Exact, concise, unambiguous and feasible
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Certificate
Sanitary import requirements agreed between importing and exporting countries’ Veterinary Authorities
=> based on OIE standards,
=> exact requirements set up
=> included in the model of certificates approved by OIE
Certification requirements should be:
- Exact, concise, unambiguous and feasible
- Based on highest possible ethical standards (professional integrity of certifying vet to be respected and safeguarded)
So what is in the Codes?
I will only discuss the terrestrial Code in this presentation but the Aquatic Code includes similar information for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

32. Code outlines principles for certificates:
CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES
Certificate
Code outlines principles for certificates:
- design and printing techniques to prevent fraud/forgery
- understanding by importing country and exporting country’ certifying vet. (terms/language)
- appropriate identification of animals/products
- where appropriate, accompany with notes of guidance
- text only amended by deletions which are signed and stamped by certifying vet.
- replacement requirements
- originals only
If electronic certification, need for security systems
So what is in the Codes?
I will only discuss the terrestrial Code in this presentation but the Aquatic Code includes similar information for aquatic animals and aquatic animal products.

33. Compliance with OIE standards of quality and evaluation
CONCLUSION
Compliance with OIE standards of quality and evaluation
Essential for
Efficiency of VS Trust in VS’ certificates
Human resources constitute a crucial element for the quality of VS

34. World organisation for animal health
12 rue de prony
75017 Paris, France
Tel: 33 (0) – Fax: 33 (0)