Canada is a leading example for meeting international veterinary service standards

OTTAWA, Aug. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Canada and OIE Delegate for Canada, Dr Jaspinder Komal, welcomes the evaluation of Canada's veterinary services that was published today by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the global standard-setting body for animal health and welfare. 

The OIE has found Canada to be a top performing country and a leading example for meeting international veterinary service standards, with no major weaknesses. The full CVO's statement is available in its entirety on the CFIA's website.

The evaluation, conducted at Canada's request, was coordinated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and involved federal, provincial and territorial governments and representatives from the private veterinary sector, academia and veterinary regulators. The full Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Evaluation Report is available on the OIE's website.

The CFIA will be working with federal, provincial and territorial partners as well as representatives from the veterinary sector and the animal industry to further strengthen veterinary services across the country.

The CFIA continues to lead on other initiatives to improve animal health, veterinary public health and animal welfare in Canada.

Quotes

"With the majority of Canada's veterinary services getting the top 5 out of 5 rating based on the OIE's international standards, and with the implementation of the OIE's recommendations, Canada will further strengthen its position as a global leader in promoting the health of animals and protecting the public from animal disease. This will also help strengthen international trade and economic opportunities". 

- Jaspinder Komal, Chief Veterinary Officer and OIE Delegate for Canada

"According to the conclusions of the PVS Evaluation mission report, Canada's assessment appears to be among the highest achieved internationally''.

- World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

Quick facts

• The evaluation of Canada's veterinary services based on the OIE's Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) methodology was conducted from March 13 to 31, 2017, by a team of four independent OIE certified PVS evaluators.
  
• The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) estimates that there are 13,300 veterinarians in Canada operating from more than 3,400 private veterinary practices in Canada.
  
• There are five veterinary colleges in Canada: the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal in Quebec and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatchewan (WCVM).
• As of March 2017 there were 612 veterinarians working for the CFIA at national level, of which 561 were full-time and 51 part-time, including 33 hired on an 'as needed' basis. Staffing levels are considered appropriate by the OIE and have not changed significantly in recent years.
  
• Canada has a strong commitment to its agricultural sector including animal health and production and the promotion of trade in animals and animal products. This policy has been sustained over many years and has resulted in Canada being a preferred supplier to many high value, demanding export markets.
  

Associated links

• OIE's performance of veterinary services (PVS) Evaluation Report of Canada
• Statement from the Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada: OIE PVS evaluation report of Canada

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SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

For further information: General Enquiries, Media Relations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 613-773-6600, [e-mail]

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