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Global food security
The AVMA supports the promotion of the veterinary profession’s many roles in advancing global food security. View the policy on global food security.
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Free-roaming abandoned and feral cats
The AVMA encourages collaborative efforts to identify humane and effective alternatives to the destruction of healthy cats for animal control…
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Free-roaming, owned cats
The AVMA encourages veterinarians to educate clients and the public about the risks associated with allowing cats free-roam access to the outdoors.
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UNDER REVIEWForeign animal disease laboratory
The AVMA actively seeks continued adequate congressional funding for the upgrading, maintenance, operation, or rebuilding of the United States'…
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Foot and mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of worldwide concern. View AVMA's recommendations for FMD preparedness and…
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Food safety
The AVMA supports appropriate educational, legislative, and regulatory measures to assure that foods of animal origin are safe and wholesome. AVMA…
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UNDER REVIEWFeral swine
The AVMA supports scientifically based regulation and/or legislation related to feral swine.
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Federal guidance on integrating animal issues into emergency issues
The AVMA strongly recommends periodic review of federal guidance on disaster preparedness, response and recovery to improve support for animal owners…
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UNDER REVIEWEnvironmental responsibility is a One Health issue
The AVMA supports environmental responsibility, including these specific measures.
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Education and training in food safety, security and defense for veterinary medical professional and paraprofessional students
The AVMA recommends that state and federal entities develop and expand training programs for veterinary students in the area of food safety,…
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Dog bite prevention
Veterinarians have a professional and ethical obligation to address the issue of dog bites in the United States. View AVMA’s policy on dog bite…
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Disinfectants for foreign and emerging animal diseases
The AVMA strongly advocates for and supports maintaining U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exemptions for the use of disinfectants against foreign…
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UNDER REVIEWDisabled livestock
Disabled livestock must be handled humanely. View AVMA's policy on disabled livestock.
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Development of emerging disease agent biologics
Development of emerging infectious disease biologics is essential for One Health. The AVMA supports the development of these products through…
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Dangerous animal legislation
The AVMA supports dangerous animal that does not refer to specific breeds or classes of animals.
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Compendium of veterinary standard precautions for zoonotic disease prevention in veterinary personnel
The AVMA endorses the Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel developed by the National…
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Compendium of measures to prevent disease associated with animals in public settings
The AVMA endorses the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians' 2017 Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with…
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Comparative medicine and translational research
Comparative medicine studies the similarities and differences in biology among animals to enhance the understanding of mechanisms of human and animal…
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Codex Alimentarius Commission
AVMA will promote inclusion of an AVMA representative in the U.S. delegation to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and appropriate committees and task…
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Clinical guidelines for antimicrobial use in veterinary practice
The AVMA supports the development, dissemination, and promotion of clinical guidelines as a resource to improve antimicrobial stewardship in…
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Canine hybrids
The AVMA strongly opposes keeping as pets any hybrids of wild canines crossbred with domestic animals. The AVMA believes that commercial traffic in…
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Brucellosis
Continued support for disease control efforts toward the ultimate elimination of brucellosis should remain a national priority.
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AVMA definitions of antimicrobial use for treatment, control, and prevention
AVMA provides definitions for treatment, prevention, and control in the context of antimicrobial use in individual animals or populations of animals.
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AVMA guidelines for the depopulation of animals
The AVMA guidelines for the depopulation of animals help members of the veterinary profession make decisions that support animal welfare in emergency…
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Aquatic ecosystems
The AVMA recognizes the pressing need to ensure the future health of aquatic animals and the ecosystems that support them. Veterinarians can and…