Vetnuus | December 2024 37 5. Record Keeping: Original certificates must be issued, and copies retained for at least five years. Common Pitfalls in Certification Certification errors can compromise a veterinarian’s credibility and can lead to liability as well as charges of unprofessional conduct. The most common mistakes are: • Incomplete Certificates: Omitting details like dates or identification will render the certificates invalid. • Improper Identification: Certifying animals without definitive identification undermines traceability and is unacceptable. Identification must be done at the time of certification. It cannot be done retrospectively. • Unverified Facts: Vets must refrain from certifying disease freedom without adequate information such as surveillance or data. Do not get pressured into certifying facts of which you have no knowledge or for which there is no proof. • Illegible Documentation: Handwriting must be clear, and required pen colours (e.g., blue or red) must be used. • Unauthorized Signatures: Certificates signed on behalf of a veterinarian are legally inadmissible and unethical. This includes certifying on behalf of another veterinarian. Only the veterinarian who did a clinical examination or administered a vaccination may sign the relevant certificates. • Use of Correction Fluid: The use of correction fluid is strictly prohibited. In certain instances, a mistake can be corrected by a line through the incorrect information with the correct information provided, but it must be initialled by the certifying vet and the certificate requirements must allow that. Special Considerations for Vaccination Certificates Vaccination certificates are special documents that require additional details, including: • Vaccine batch numbers and expiry dates. • Name or label of the vaccine. • Date of vaccination. • Vaccination certificates may only be signed by veterinarians. Vaccination records may be signed by certain para-veterinary professionals but only when not intended for travel or official purposes. If horses have been vaccinated by para-veterinary professionals and need certification at a later stage, the vaccinations will have to be redone by a veterinarian who can then sign the vaccination certificate. Safeguarding Professional Integrity Veterinarians must ensure their certification practices align with professional and legal standards. Only statements that can be accurately and honestly certified must be included. It is important to note that only veterinarians who are authorised to sign international veterinary certificates may do so. This does not mean that the attending vet may not sign the health certificate, but the rest of the export certificate can only be signed by an authorised veterinarian. Do not sign certificates where there are blank spaces and never ask clients to complete certificates on your behalf after you have signed them. Make sure that all supporting documentation attached to certificates has been verified. Do not sign certificates where you may have a potential conflict of interest, such as a commercial interest in an animal being certified. Keep records of all the certificates you sign as well as all the facts that may be relevant to a particular case. Such records must be kept for a minimum of five years. Conclusion Equine health certification is not merely an administrative task but a reflection of veterinary professionalism. By adhering to the principles outlined in this article, South African veterinarians can safeguard their practice, uphold animal welfare, and contribute to the broader equine industry. As custodians of trust, veterinarians must approach certification with the diligence it demands. If you have any questions, you can contact me at trudie@legalvetservices.co.za v Legal Mews
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