Bitno javno dobro
Udruženje veterinara Europe (FVE) želi naglasiti ključnu ulogu veterinarske struke u Europi u pružanju i osiguranju sigurnosti hrane životinjskog podrijetla potrošačima, od zdravih životinja na farmi preko klaonica, na način koji ne kompromitira dobrobit životinja.
Ovo je posebice slučaj tijekom procesa u klaonicama gdje je ‘inspekcija mesa, ante i post mortem ključna komponenta sveobuhvatnog sustava nadzora zdravlja i dobrobiti ovih životinja’.
FVE je zabrinuta činjenicom da pojedina nadležna tijela, međunarodne i nacionalne organizacije, kao i interesi specifičnih privatnih sektora žele potkopati ulogu službenih veterinara u osiguravanju higijene hrane, na štetu sigurnosti hrane, zdravlja i dobrobiti životinja, javnog zdravstva i okoliša.
Prepoznajući da je pametno korištenje financijskih izvora vrlo važno, FVE želi istaknuti dodanu vrijednost i globalno javno dobro koje službeni veterinari donose kroz svoju ulogu, posebice u klaoničkom okruženju.
Uloga službenog veterinara u klaonici čuva interese velikog broja različitih dionika od kojih svaki ima svoje različite prioritete; kroz njihovu neovisnost i profesionalni integritet službeni veterinar dodaje vrijednost:
- životinjama; osiguravanjem odgovarajuće brige, rukovanja i postupka u pogledu zakonodavstva o dobrobiti životinja
- potrošaču; pružajući sigurnost hrane
- građanima; pružajući potvrdu da operator ili klaonice ispunjava svoje obveze u odnosu na zdravlje životinja, javno zdravlje, dobrobit životinja i zaštitu okoliša
- operatorima u klaonicama; kroz tehničko znanje i podršku u razvoju samokontrolnih procesa
- farmerima; pružanjem određenih zdravstvenih informacija o njihovoj stoci
- privatnim veterinarima; pružanjem informacija o zdravstvenom stanju stoke iz određenih gospodarstava i populacije, uključujući podatke o nastajanju bolesti
- nadležnim tijelima; osiguravajući službene kontrole kroz nadzor, revizije i provedbe
- gospodarstvu; podupirući i olakšavajući nacionalnu i međunarodnu trgovinu.
Službeni veterinar u klaonici, kroz svoje iskustvo i znanje, održavano tijekom radnog vijeka kroz kontinuirani stručan profesionalni razvoj, ima ključnu ulogu u društvu, a posebice u nezavisnom osiguranju pružanja sigurne hrane što je prepoznato kao javno dobro [v. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Art 25. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/].
Međunarodna prepoznatost uloge službenih veterinara čini bitnim istovremeno prepoznavanje njihovog angažmana od strane svih sudionika, kao i njegovo održavanje.
(Preuzeto sa stranica FVE Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, izvornik FVE/11/PR/005)
An essential public good
The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) wishes to underline the pivotal role played by the veterinary profession in Europe in the provision and assurance of the safety of foods of animal origin, from healthy animals managed, from farm to slaughter, in a manner that does not compromise their welfare, to the consumer.
This is especially the case where animals are processed through a slaughterhouse where, ‘meat inspection, both ante and post mortem, is a key component of the overall surveillance system for animal health and welfare’.
FVE is concerned that some Competent Authorities, international and national organisation and specific private sector interests would wish to undermine the role of the Official Veterinarian in food hygiene to the detriment of food safety, animal health and welfare, public health and the environment.
While recognising that the prudent use of financial resources is extremely important FVE wants to outline the added value and global public good which Official Veterinarians bring in their role, particularly in the slaughterhouse environment.
The Official Veterinarian’s role in the slaughterhouse supports the interests of many different stakeholders each with their own specific priorities; through their independence and professional integrity the Official Veterinarian adds value to:
- The animals; by ensuring proper caring, handling and stunning procedure in respect of the animal welfare legislation
- The consumer; by providing assurance and reassurance on food safety
- The citizen; by providing verification that the operator or the slaughterhouse is fulfilling their responsibilities with regard to animal health, public health, animal welfare and the protection of the environment
- The operator of the slaughterhouse; through technical knowledge and support in development of self control processes
- The farmer; by providing animal health information specific to their livestock
- The private veterinarian; by providing information about the health status of livestock from specific holdings and populations, including data on emerging diseases
- The Competent Authority; by delivering Official Controls through inspection, audit and enforcement
- The economy; by supporting and facilitating national and international trade
The Official Veterinarian in the slaughterhouse, through his knowledge, maintained through his working life through professional Continuous Professional Development, and experience, has a key role to play on behalf of society, but particularly in the independent assurance of the provision of safe food which is recognized as a public good [v. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Art 25. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/].
The international recognition of the Official Veterinarians’ role makes it essential that their involvement is both recognised by all stakeholders and maintained.
(Preuzeto sa stranica FVE Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, izvornik FVE/11/PR/005)