The European Commission will organise the first European Veterinary week from 10-16 November, in partnership with the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the French Presidency.

The week will open with a high level conference in Brussels on 10 November, entitled “One Health: Healthy Animals = Healthy People”. This event aims to stimulate dialogue on successful information diffusion and cooperation between the different players in the animal health field for the implementation of effective bio-security measures at borders and on-farm. It will examine the positive impacts of high animal health standards on human health and consumer wellbeing. Panel discussions will look at issues such as on-farm bio-security, import controls and the “One Health” concept. Participants will include Member State veterinary experts, animal health stakeholders, customs officials, airport and travel organisations, representatives from Parliament and Council, and all relevant Commission services.

Later in the week, the FVE General Assembly in Hanover will gather 800 veterinarians from across Europe. Part of its programme will be devoted to speeches presenting Veterinary Week and its main messages: “One Health” and “Prevention is better than cure.” Specific topics to be raised are the new animal health strategy and what it means to the veterinary practitioner, the importance of a strong veterinary network and how to translate policy into action.

EU Veterinary Week 2008

Animals + Humans = One health

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