Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

Information on the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and why maintaining close relations with FVE is important to the British Veterinary Association (BVA)

We continue to lobby on behalf of the profession at the European level through membership of the FVE.

The FVE now represents 36 countries and has 4 professional sections

the practitioners (UEVP)
the state veterinary officers (EASVO)
the hygienists (UEVH)
the professionals involved in education, research and industry (EVERI)

The BVA and a number of its specialist divisions, together with the RCVS, constitute the UK delegation to FVE and its sections.

One profession, one vision, one voice

Much of the legislation which governs our professional lives now originates in Brussels. Whether in the field of professional conduct, animal health, veterinary medicinal products, animal welfare or public health, by the time the legislation gets to Westminster, Defra, the FSA or VMD, all that is left for discussion is the detail of implementation.

It is therefore imperative that the veterinary profession in the UK has an active and effective voice in the European Commission and Parliament.

The key route into these corridors of power is the FVE, representing the views of approximately 200,000 veterinarians from 36 European countries, under the banner of ‘one profession, one vision, one voice’.

The BVA – represented by Nick Blayney and Harvey Locke - and a number of its specialist divisions, together with the RCVS, constitute the UK delegation to the FVE and its sectional groups.

In order to influence policy it is important that representatives are well placed within the FVE structure.

Working groups

FVE policy is developed through a system of working groups. UK representatives have been involved in working groups on

food safety
welfare around slaughter
the welfare of animals during transport
animal welfare labeling
animal cloning
a veterinary code of conduct
veterinary education

The next big challenge is the Action Plan for implementing the EU Animal Health Strategy, which translates the Strategy into 31 time bound actions under four pillars - defining priorities, a new legal framework, prevention and controls, and science research. This work will be underpinned by principles of partnership and communication.

Through FVE, the BVA, has the opportunity to influence the policy at the drafting stage to the benefit of the UK veterinary profession and the animals for which they care.