EU pig vets start new association

 

 

European pig vets have decided to set up a new association: the European Association of Porcine Health Management (EAPHM).

 

The objectives of the new association are primarily educational to increase contact and interaction across an increasingly borderless Europe but also to represent its interests and views on increasingly important aspects of welfare, health and production that are on the horizon.

 

It was felt that although the European College of Porcine Health Management already existed, its focus was more on education, research and through a series of internships, the development of new researchers and pig specialist diplomats for the future. This left the practitioner side under-represented and without a harmonised post-graduate education, as well as life-long learning opportunities. In order to rectify this, it was approved at the recent college's symposium in Hanover vet school in Germany to form the new Association based on a working party's recommendations.

 

The working group is headed by Jens Christian Eskjaer Jensen from Orion, with representatives from Germany, Spain, Belgium, Denmark and France, supported by key pharmaceutical representatives from Intervet SP, Merial, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer and Eurovet

 

Further sub-committees will be set up on education, external relations, internal communication, student support and liaison and it is anticipated to have an annual congress, alongside the College's symposium, the first which will be held in Helsinki, Finland in May 2011. Membership of the Association will be open for all veterinarians at the beginning of 2011 and it is hoped to produce their own scientific Journal in the future.

 

As well as representing and supporting its own industry, the association is keen to work closely with other European national associations and societies, such as the UK's PVS, as the support and involvement of these organisations are essential for the success of the EAPHM.

 

In addition, the association wishes to forge close links with other continental and international associations such as the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Asian Pig Veterinary Society, South American Pig Veterinary Society and International Pig Veterinary Society. The Federation of Vets in Europe (FVE) has also welcomed this development, as there is little farm species representation in Europe and would be a useful source of reference.