AVMA, international veterinary leaders meet to discuss common ground

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International veterinary leaders gathered for three meetings in April to discuss, among other issues, the future of the profession and role of national veterinary associations; and the importance of veterinary education and accreditation standards in advancing international veterinary medicine.

From April 14-17, the International Veterinary Officers Council met in London to discuss common problems faced by veterinarians around the world. The council comprises leaders from the AVMA, the British Veterinary Association, the Australian Veterinary Association, the Canadian VMA, the New Zealand Veterinary Association, and the South African VMA.

Attendees agreed that the future of the profession and the role of the national associations over the next 10 years is a fundamental issue, particularly with national and state practice act changes pending in several countries.

Immediately following the IVOC meeting, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons hosted the Global Accreditation meeting April 19-20 in London. At the meeting, officers from the RCVS, the AVMA, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council, and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education discussed their accreditation standards. The associations found the standards and procedures to be similar among all the accrediting bodies in attendance. Attendees also agreed there is room for further harmonization.

Later on April 26, the AVMA hosted the North American Veterinary Leadership Meeting. In attendance were leaders from the Canadian VMA, Panamerican Association of Veterinary Sciences, the Mexican VMA, Mexico's National Council of Education for Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics, the Mexican Association of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, the AVMA, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, and the World Veterinary Association.

The meeting focused on the organizational structure of each association, and on common issues affecting the associations. A report was given on one such issue, the potential cross-border introduction of avian influenza and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.