VN May 2022

Vetnuus | May 2022 14 The International Veterinary Officers Coalition is a grouping of veterinary associations pursuing the same goals. Current members are the BVA, CVMA, AVMA, SAVA, AVA, and NZVA. The meeting is attended by the President and MD of the various associations and other officers invited. A speaking slot is allocated to the President of the WVA. The annual meeting takes place over two days just before or after the WVAC in the WVAC host country and is organised by rotation. South Africa will be privileged to host IVOC just before the WVAC 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. An opportunity to showcase our country. However, the last IVOC was a hybridmeeting over only one day due to Covid restrictions on Australia and New Zealand. IVOC is held in such high esteem by the WVA that the WVA asked IVOC to precede theWVA Council meeting, held on the first day of the WVAC, to allow IVOC to deliberate upon present position papers at the WVA Council meeting. The next IVOVC meeting will be hosted in 2023 by CVMA in Taiwan. The WVA Congress was followed by an IVOC meeting, the first in- person/hybrid meeting for the past couple of years. South Africa, Britain, Canada and the USA attended in person, whilst New Zealand and Australia followed by a link provided. The country reports were deemed read, and the following points were discussed: • Veterinary shortages and recruitment/retention challenges. These are longstanding challenges that IVOC may want to consider from the global shortage point of view. What is the current picture across the IVOC countries? How are associations responding? Are you facing calls for a lowering of standards to recruit from overseas? • How are workplace expectations changing (e.g. requests for flexible working and improved working conditions), and what role do associations have in this discussion? Also, within this heading, the AVA updated their employer accreditation scheme, wellbeing and DEI initiatives, access to care/choosing to seek care, and recognising the value of preventive care. SAVA to investigate: o Supply and demand. o Retention/remuneration/wellness. o Alternative practice business model o Ease of setting up practices. o Minimum standards for veterinary practices compared to human medicine practices. o Veterinary value chain. o The scope of practice of veterinary paraprofessionals • Changes in ways of working post-Covid. How much has Covid changed the way veterinary care is delivered? What role could and should telemedicine have in the future?What role is there for new technologies, and how should they be regulated? How is data gathered and stored, and who owns it? What is the impact of telemedicine on preventive care visits? What role should “alternative providers” have given the crossover between the growth of technology and uptake and use by non-vets who want to offer services (e.g. discussion around ultrasound units that are now more broadly available)? And how does all of this fit into both animal health and welfare and meeting the workforce’s needs? • Extreme conformation. Are trends towards more extreme breeding of pets getting worse globally? What are the drivers, and what can the veterinary profession do about the problems? Is it time to say enough is enough? Context: Norway has just had a court case brought by a vet in an NGO which has banned the breeding of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and British Bulldogs. Is a legal route the only answer? • One Health/Disease Surveillance. To what extent are the associations engaged with the national responses to HPAI outbreaks and managing concerns about ASF? How are associations keeping members informed and what resources are being provided or asked for? • The environmental impact of small animal parasiticides came into view. A recent research paper found that the active ingredients from small animal parasiticides could be traced in rivers and other watercourses. Is this an issue of concern globally? What role should associations have in responding to this One Health issue? • Antimicrobial stewardship and regulation. There’s been a massive amount of effort – led by vets and industry – to improve the responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock. We’re now seeing a shift of focus towards companion animals. The FDA is trying to bring some over-the-counter antimicrobials under veterinary prescription in the US. In Europe, new rules have come into force on routine use in farming. This session is an opportunity to share recent updates and look ahead towhat’s next and howassociations can support members. It was reassuring to interact with heads of Veterinary Associations worldwide and realise that the issues haunting the South African Veterinary Association members are issues that Veterinary Associations worldwide lay awake over. Being geographically isolated from Australia, New Zealand, and the northern hemisphere does not separate South Africa from the problem experienced worldwide. v International Veterinary Officers Coalition (IVOC)