On Saturday, 28th April 2018, the global veterinary community celebrates the World Veterinary Day to highlight the important contribution of the veterinary profession to benefit animals and society. This year, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA) devote attention to “the crucial role played by veterinarians in the development of more sustainable animal husbandry practices, improving not only the health of animals, but also the health and wellbeing of people and the environment”, according to the WVA press release collected by Veterinaria Digital.

Throughout this special day, numerous initiatives by veterinarians are taking place around the world to raise the public awareness about the important role of the veterinary profession engaged in a wide range of employment fields and delivering services for a more sustainable future of our planet and its habitants.

FROM FARM TO FORK

This year is the 10th anniversary of the World Veterinary Day Award, which was initiated by the OIE and WVA to reward the most successful contribution by the WVA member association in celebrating the veterinary profession in their country.

This year's theme is "the role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve the sustainability, safety and safety of food". Faced with global challenges such as the growing world population and the rise in demand for animal protein, the environment’s deterioration and decrease of natural resources and the emergence of zoonotic diseases, veterinarians are playing a crucial role in securing the development of more sustainable, responsible and efficient livestock production systems to ensure sufficient resources for future generations.

Veterinarians are responsible for the prevention and control of animal disease outbreaks, ensuring that the world population will have sufficient and safe high-quality food throughout the control and contributing to inspection of the whole food chain; “from farm to fork”.

In many global rural areas, the inhabitants are greatly dependent on animals for their livelihood, keeping the soil fertile, and providing power for ploughing and transport, which in many cases provides a family’s primary source of income. Ensuring this function, veterinarians are also vital for the development of regional and national economies.

By implementing a One Health Approach, veterinarians are working together with other health professionals to improve and develop new production systems that are also respectful of animal welfare and the environment. By doing so, veterinarians are contributing to achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty, and ensure zero hunger, good health and economic growth.

PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD VETERINARY DAY AWARD 2018!

Spread the word on the activities that you held on this occasion or during the year and have the chance to win the World Veterinary Day Award! The competition is open to all WVA member associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected body. The winner of the World Veterinary World 2018 will be announced on the WVA and OIE websites on 15th June 2018.