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Highlighting the profession's many roles

APRIL 25 is World Veterinary Day, an annual celebration of the diverse roles of the veterinary profession in society. The day is an initiative of the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the theme for this year is ‘Veterinarians and livestock farmers: a winning partnership’. The BVA’s Overseas Group is marking World Veterinary Day by making special reference to those working to improve the health and welfare of people and animals in some of the poorest areas of the world. ‘According to the World Health Organization, in today’s world 411 million people are poor livestock keepers and farmers who rely on animals for livelihood security,’ says Karen Reed, chairman of the Overseas Group. ‘In commemorating World Veterinary Day, we can see how this figure alone easily demonstrates how the veterinary profession plays a crucial role in international development issues. However, the remit of the veterinary profession is much broader than one of animal health alone. All over the world, vets are responsible for public health issues which include food safety, biosecurity, zoonotic disease spread and socioveterinary interactions. ‘Within the profession there is increasing interest in the social and economic aspects of livestock keeping, but also acknowledgement that poor livestock keepers are highly vulnerable to crises. The veterinary profession is a diverse one and currently development vets are involved with projects that many would not consider typically “veterinary”. Such projects include helping HIV-affected communities with sustainable livelihood interventions, the implications of gender and livestock husbandry, how barriers in livestock trade can be overcome, and how pastoralists can cope with climate change.’ According to Tess Sprayson, a member of the Overseas Group, the close proximity between human and animal health, and subsequent welfare, is becoming more apparent. ‘Key issues that Phograph: T. Spayson