Spain's Ministry of Agriculture Proposes Optional On-Farm Veterinarian Role
Source: vetandlife.ru
At a livestock forum held in mid-May in Toledo, Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, announced 10 government initiatives aimed at improving agricultural production. Among these, a proposal was made to make the role of veterinarians on livestock farms optional. Veterinary professionals have opposed this initiative, fearing it could jeopardize the health of livestock and the country's food safety, as reported by the Spanish veterinary portal Animal’s Health.
Luis Alberto Calvo, President of the Spanish Veterinary Association (OCV), sent a letter to Minister Planas expressing disagreement with making the veterinarian position optional on livestock farms. He argued that decisions regarding animal health and epizootic control in the livestock industry "should not be made solely based on economic factors," highlighting the risk of "regression that cannot be permitted."
According to the publication, under Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/429 dated March 9, 2016, farm veterinarians are responsible for developing clinical examination plans and veterinary services for the herd, ensuring compliance, advising farmers on biosecurity, antimicrobial use, and animal welfare. "If the presence of a veterinarian on the farm becomes voluntary, the fulfillment of these tasks will be jeopardized," stated Calvo, expressing regret that none of the 37,000 Spanish veterinarians were invited to the Toledo forum on extensive livestock farming to represent the profession.
He also emphasized that the measures announced by the Minister of Agriculture contradict the procedures currently in place to ensure the health of the livestock population in the country, which could negatively impact the condition of agricultural animals.
According to the publication, under Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/429 dated March 9, 2016, farm veterinarians are responsible for developing clinical examination plans and veterinary services for the herd, ensuring compliance, advising farmers on biosecurity, antimicrobial use, and animal welfare. "If the presence of a veterinarian on the farm becomes voluntary, the fulfillment of these tasks will be jeopardized," stated Calvo, expressing regret that none of the 37,000 Spanish veterinarians were invited to the Toledo forum on extensive livestock farming to represent the profession.
He also emphasized that the measures announced by the Minister of Agriculture contradict the procedures currently in place to ensure the health of the livestock population in the country, which could negatively impact the condition of agricultural animals.
