World Veterinary Association
Final Minutes 15th WVA Council Meeting
28 April 2007 at the 101, 55th floor, Taipei, Taiwan
Participants:Dr Leon Russell, President
Dr Faouzi Kechrid, Vice-President
Dr S.M. Johnson Chiang, Vice-President
Dr Herbert Schneider, Immediate Past President
Dr Duane Landals, Councillor North America
Dr Jim Nave, Councillor North America
Dr H.M. El Hadi, Africa
Dr Ramdeo Ramchurn, Councillor Africa
Dr Jakob Malmo, Councillor East Asia and Oceania
Dr Karel Daniel, Councillor Eastern Europe
Dr Per Thorup, Councillor Western Europe
Dr Bob Stevenson, Councillor Western Europe
Dr Johanne Østerbye, Assistant Executive Secretary
Mrs Birgitte Sørensen, Secretary
re 1Apologies
Apologies had been received from Dr Sabatakou and Dr Espinosa
re 2Adoption of Agenda
The Agenda was adopted as presented in these Minutes
re 3Adoption of the Final Minutes of the 14th WVA Council Meeting, Malaga, Spain
The Council adopted the Minutes
re 4Finances
4.1Audited Accounts 2006
Dr Østerbye went through the accounts and explained with reference to the entry “subscriptions” that the budget is decided 3 years ahead. In this period a couple of major contributors have left the association (Brazil) or have been allowed reduction in their subscription due to the new rule, that the membership fee is no longer calculated in accordance with the total number of veterinarians in the respective country but in accordance with the paying members of the respective national association (Japan, Spain).
Dr Østerbye asked the Council to note that the interest had doubled since 2005 mainly due to increasing interest rates on the US$ money market. In average the interest rate had been close to 5% in 2006 where it was less than 3% in 2005. The total income exceeds the budget with just more than US$ 10,000.
Dr Stevenson inquired about the entry “WVA activities” and “miscellaneous expenses” and asked for more details on WVA activities and if the website expenses could become a separate entry.
Dr Østerbye will inform the auditors to identify separately the website expenses.
Dr Østerbye explained that with regard to the entry WVA activities, the money has been spent on the WVA 150 Year Anniversary History Project as well as late presented bills from the Road Map meeting in October 2005 inParis.
Dr Schneider reported that EXCOM, at its meeting yesterday, had allocated US$ 20,000 to the Editorial Committee for 2008.
Dr Landals said that the scope of the project should be stated as the History of the World Veterinary Association and not as the history of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr Østerbye continued reporting that the total expenditure was US$ 65,000 less than budgeted. This leaves WVA with a surplus of more than US$ 77,000.
4.2Status 2007 and Outstanding Membership Fees
Prof El Hadi asked the Secretariat to resend the invoice for Sudan.
Council asked the respective Councillors to remind associations with outstanding membership fees in their region to settle their invoices.
4.3 President’s Travelling Expenses
Due to private circumstances the President could not fulfil his travel plans. The account has a surplus of nearly US$ 13,000. To make it possible for the President to catch up, a proposal is made to allow the President to transfer this surplus to 2007.
Council approved the transfer of the surplus.
re 5President’s Report
The President went through his activity report.
Jakob Malmo supported the President’s thoughts of WVA involving member organisations in identifying veterinary experts to WVA activities e.g. avian influenza. Bob Stevenson mentioned that there had to be a definition on the term “expert”.
Prof El Hadi commented that the WVA should be the link between FAO and the national associations.
Per Thorup commented that this was an issue that could be used in the marketing of the WVA, and it should be stated in the Newsletter, e.g. the collaboration between FAO and WHO.
Dr Kechrid informed the meeting that the OIE and FAO already had the experts, but they want to identify people to be trained for rapid assessment.
Dr Østerbye felt that the WVA should bethe link of communication between the different organisations in need of “experts” and the national associations’ members. WVA should ask the organisations to state “What they want/what they can offer/add” and then distribute it to the national associations, who will then be responsible for the further distribution through their primary communication channels.
Council supported that this new service be placed on the website as this would again serve as marketing the WVA internally and externally.
Councilasked Dr Stevenson to make a draft for the standard application and send it to the Secretariat for circulation with a note to the organisations.
The Communication Group should work with this issue and a deadline of 15 May was set.
Each national member was asked to send their “national-member-pamphlet-text” to Bob Stevenson in English, Dr Stevenson will then make an extract of the different texts to the website. Each member can then distribute this information through their usual communication channels and highlight the website nationally.
re 6Working Group Reports – WVA Road Map 2005 – 2008
6.1International Standards Group
6.1.1Status report
Dr Kechrid went through his report.
6.2Accreditation of Vet Schools
Dr Russell informed the meeting that Jim Nave was active in this group together with Ron Gibson, Jim Edwards, Richard Halliwell and Francisco Trigo
Dr Nave asked Council if the WVA should form a global accreditation programme or be the platform for such a body.
Dr Stevenson remarked that he could not see how the WVA in its present structure could function as an accreditation body, but the WVA had to address the problem because of its mission statement.
Dr Landals found that one of the most important tasks of the WVA was to function as the top body for the national accreditations bodies.
Dr Daniel doubted if the respective national members would accept that the WVA would set up standards and demands.
Dr Schneider said that there was noup-to-date global list of accredited schools and that there are veterinary schools training veterinarians without any national curriculum control or veterinary statutory body accreditation. In Brazil, for example, there are an estimated140 “veterinary” training schools with widely varying standards of training.
Dr Daniel informed the meeting that the FVE sets up such a list on European level, but there is no global list.
Bob Stevenson proposed that a list of veterinary schools be drafted and such a list could then mention the”golden standards” set by the WVA.
Jakob Malmo suggested that the Group look at the various accreditation programmes to try to harmonize them.
Jim Nave answered that this had been done and that they looked alike.
Council decided that the Group should investigate if there was a need to carry out an update listing of veterinary schools, such as was last undertaken in the WVA World Veterinary Directory of 1991. The list should at the same time indicate which schools are accredited by the USA and Europe as well as bodies such as the RCVS (UK) or regional bodies such as in Australia, NZ and South Africa. Dr Russell will look into the possibility of obtaining an up-to-date list.
6.3Animal Welfare
6.3.1Status report
Per Thorup informed the meeting that the Group had met its goal according to the road map, but that they will try to establish cooperation with the WSAVA on the animal welfare issue in order to increase the mutual contact and strengthen efforts on animal welfare. Furthermore, the Group will try to upgrade the animal welfare part of the veterinary curriculum.
Per Thorup also mentioned that the WVA had launched a new global web network, Veterinary Animal Welfare Network (VAWN) for veterinarians wishing to discuss animal welfare. Dr Edwards is the webmaster in charge of the site.
6.5Communication
6.5.1 Evaluate WVA Newsletter
Dr Johnson Chiang informed the meeting that the 6th Newsletter will be distributed shortly.
Dr Stevenson said that there is a need for news-flow from the national associations on a more regular basis and that he would like to issue news in a standard format that will be recognisable from Newsletter to Newsletter. This should be a part of the regular communication between national associations and WVA.
Dr Stevenson will make a proposal to the national associations on what news to pass on and how /when. The Secretariat will distribute this proposal to the national associations.
6.6Good Veterinary Practice
Dr Daniel proposed that there should be a veterinary oath. There is a Canadian oath that could be adapted for use by the WVA, other associations had also forwarded their oaths. It is now up to EXCOM to decide on the way to go from here. The WVA Veterinary Oath as approved at the PA 1995 inYokohama should be re-visited.
Ethical codes / codes of conduct have been gathered in the Secretariat. They should be placed on the WVA website.
6.7Industry Participation
Jim Nave said that the industry was not interested in donating money to the WVA, because it was the local and national efforts that were in focus at the moment amongst the industry.
6.8 Input Group
Dr Stevenson said that today’s discussion had helped his working group as it had been difficult to get the importance focused for the group and how they could best blend in their voice. They should look at the ad hoc group in FAO, WHO and OIE. FAO would be the primary goal in the time to come. Strategic plans for this organisation was to be used as a starting point in finding joint ventures. Examples of these joint ventures will be presented for on-line-approval to the council before the next meeting.
Summary Road Map 15th Council Meeting Taiwan.
WHAT / INFLUENCE STANDARDS OF INTEREST TO THE VETERINARY PROFESSION SET BY THE GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS LIKE OIE, WHO AND FAO / The 15th CouncilMeeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Identify areas within the strategic plans of OIE, WHO and FAO of interest to the veterinary profession. Where no written plan, contact decision makers within the governmental organisations.
b)Identify areas of interest for the veterinary profession not mentioned in the strategic plans of OIE, WHO and FAO.
c)Prioritize the identified areas
d)Develop policies
e)Seek representation in working groups, committees etc. and when not invited bring the WVA policies to the awareness of the working groups, committees etc. and the decision-makers.
WHO / a)and b) Policy group headed by Vice-President Faouzi Kechrid
c) President and EXCOM with Council approval
d) Ad Hoc Committees established by EXCOM and Council
e) President and nominated representatives
WHEN / a)and b) before 1 February 2006
c) before 1 March 2006
a)1 March 2006 and ongoing starting with priority No. 1
e) Now and ongoing
WHAT / MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR A VETERINARY CURRICULUM AND ESTABLISHING A GLOBAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM / The 15th Council
Meeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Raise level of Minimum Standards to be acceptable for the existing accreditation systems in an Ad Hoc Committee of Experts.
b)Offer leadership to establish a global accreditation system for veterinary training establishments based upon net-working of the existing systems and mutual recognition of harmonised procedures. / The Group should see if there was a need to carry out an update of veterinary schools, the WVA World Veterinary Directory is from 1991. The list should at the same time show which schools are accredited by the USA and Europe.
WHO / a)4-6 experts and WVA President
b)WVA President and Secretariat
WHEN / a)Ad hoc committee to be established with 4-6 experts before 1 May 2006 to finalize Minimum Standards before WVC 27 July-1 August 2008 inVancouver where presentation will take place.
b)Offer leadership and ideas of networking at the next meeting Autumn 2006 between AVMA, NZVA, AVA, RCVS and FVE/EAEVE. A minimum of 6 years will be needed to finalize a mutual recognized system.
WHAT / ANIMAL WELFARE / The 15th Council
MeetingTaiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Establish a general WVA animal welfare statement based upon the five freedoms (for laboratory animals based upon 3R (reduction, refinement, replacement) and WSPA’s concepts of Animal Welfare)
b)Establish a general answer to be used by the Secretariat when asked on specific issues where WVA has no policy.
c)Make animal welfare a part of the veterinary curriculum.
d)Establish ad hoc groups whenever necessary to establish science-based specific policies on animal welfare issues. / The Group has met its goals according to the Road Map.
They will continue the issue of making animal welfare a part of the veterinary curriculum.
WHO / a)and b) Jim Edwards, Karel Daniel, Duane Landals, Per Thorup, Lars Holsaae
b)The specialist group (see Minimum Standards for a
Veterinary Curriculum)
d) EXCOM and/or Council
a) and b) For next Council meeting
c)A part of the work with the general curriculum (see
minimum Standards for a
Veterinary Curriculum)
d)Whenever necessary EXCOM or Council will
establish ad hoc groups.
WHAT / MEMBERSHIP SERVICES / The 15th Council
Meeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / Establish an Ad Hoc Membership Committee to attract new members and retain existing members by identifying the services to be provided by WVA. Prioritize identified services and implement them.
WHO / Leon Russell, Johnson Chiang, Faouzi Kechrid, Duane Landals, Jim Nave, Karel Daniel, Jim Edwards, Ramdeo Ramchurn, Per Thorup
WHEN / From 1 September 2005 – 1 January 2006
WHAT / COMMUNICATION / The 15th CouncilMeetingTaiwan
STATUS
a)Newsletter fourtimes a year
b)Councillors and EXCOM members download free telephone programme to make officers able to call one another over the Internet. /
- Newsflow from the national associations on a more regular basis.
Bob Stevenson will make a proposal to the national associations on what news to pass on and how /when. The secretariat will distribute this proposal to the national associations.
- Link between organisations in need of experts and the national associations. The possibilities for these kind of services should be communicated to the appropriate organisations, and a standard information sheet should be made, stating the “where, how, how long and how much”. This standard information/requests can then be downloaded on the WVA-website by the organisations in need of experts and forwarded to the national associations by the secretariat as well as be marketed as a new service on the website by the editor.
- A WVA-association pamphlet. Dr Stevenson makes a draft of the coming WVA-pamphlet when he has received a number of English versions of member pamphlets.
WHO / a)Bob Stevenson and Johnson Chiang
b)EXCOM
WHEN / 15 February 2006 and onwards quarterly on the Web and on mail list
WHAT / GOOD VETERINARY PRACTICE ETC. / The 15th Council
Meeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Define a veterinary oath that can be useful globally
b)Establish an ad hoc committee to define good veterinary practice in a code.
c)Build up a database on the homepage where information on veterinary surgeons’ acts, ethical codes etc. can be found based upon a questionnaire for members / EXCOM to continue the work on a veterinary oath.
Ethical codes, codes of conduct at hand in the secretariat to be published on the website
Ad hoc Committee on Good Vet Practice has been formally proposed/established and way on for GVP code proposed
WHO / a)EXCOM
b)Karel Daniel
c)Secretariat
WHEN / a)Before Council Meeting 2007
b)May 2006- May 2008
c)Before
WHAT / INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION / The 15th Council
Meeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Active contact of industry groups
b)Affiliate Membership / Local and national efforts are in focus at the moment amongst the industry.
New marketing strategy?
Annual WVC?
WHO / a)James Nave as liaison with IFAH
b)James Nave
WHEN / a)November 2005
1 January 2006
WHAT / INCREASE WVA INPUT TO WORKING GROUPS OF OIE, FAO, WHO / The 15th Council
Meeting
Taiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Obtain list of working groups to be appointed by OIE from OIE home-page
b)Prepare a list of experts or specialists / FAO would be the primary goal in the time to come. Strategic plans for this organisation was to be used as a starting point in finding joint ventures. Examples of these joint ventures will be presented for on-line-approval for the council before the next meeting (16th Council Meeting)
WHO / a)President and Secretariat
b)Bob Stevenson and Johnson Chiang
WHEN / a)Monthly
b)1 March 2006
WHAT / COUNCILLOR MENTORING / The 15th CouncilMeetingTaiwan
STATUS
HOW / a)Mentoring Councillors
b)Instructional meeting
WHO / a)WVA President
b) WVA President
WHEN / a)Monthly by electronic communications
b)Two hour session before each Council Meeting
re 7WVC Rules
7.1Conflict between paras 3.1.3.1 and 3.1.5.2
Council recommendation to the PA is to support solution 3 – “The registration form is developed so that veterinarians can tick off boxes for membership of a WVA Associate Member giving the name of the said organisation, to make it possible for the organisers to control the membership by asking the Associate Member of WVA” in order to solve the administrative conflict. This has no impact on the WVC 2008.
re 8WVC 2008 Vancouver
8.1 Status by Dr Landals including discussion on Congress Programme
Dr Landals reported on the progress of the congress. Information is continuously being updated on the congress website. There will be two major tracks – small animals and public health
The Public Health with three major tracks: 1) Animal welfare/production of animals. 2) Biosecurity/Disease prevalence. 3) Responsible use of veterinary products.
OIE is a part of the process especially in 1) and 2).
Dr Landals continued to report that the challenge is not to be confused with WSAVA (WSAVA was in Vancouver in 2001) in marketing the congress towards sponsors. There is not a lot of support for an event like this as sponsors focus on the local and national level.