Veterinary surgeons and veterinary paraprofessionals act 2011: its impact on meat hygiene, quality control and marketing

Abstract

The Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Paraprofessionals Act 2011 replaced the Veterinary Surgeons Act Cap 366 on 2nd December 2011 vide the legal notice No. 183. The Veterinary Surgeons Act Cap 366 repealed, only regulated the training of Veterinarians and their participation in animal health services, but had no provisions for regulating the Veterinary Paraprofessionals. Safeguarding animal health and Public health concerns in livestock and livestock products for local and international markets require elaborate laws and regulations that control and direct veterinary services at all levels. Before structural adjustment changes in 1986, Veterinarians and animal health paraprofessionals trained, and were recruited to, serve the Department of Veterinary Services, thereafter, many veterinary professionals joined private sector and Non-governmental organization offering animal health services. This paper examines the spirit, content and context of the newly enacted Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Paraprofessionals Act 2011;discusses its impact on training in terms of institution infrastructure and course content ,regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine and its contribution to quality control and food safety assurance., national and international trade and its compliance with existing instruments regulating the Veterinary profession. Key words: Veterinarians, paraprofessionals, regulations, training, practice