INTERVIEW ▶▶▶


FVE is in favour of a global ban on the use of an- tibiotics as a growth promot- er and for the purpose of disease prevention.


long distance transports, the animals need to be able to rest at properly equipped resting places. Where it appeared that the facilities at such resting places outside the EU could not be guaranteed, or even the existence of such resting places was uncertain, the Dutch authorities have put all requests for certificates for export outside the EU on hold. According to Van Dobbenburgh, the new European Commis- sioner for Health and Food Safety, Ms Stella Kyriakides, is committed to animal welfare. “In a recent video-conference we had with her, Ms Kyriakides underlined her position and acknowledged the role of veterinarians in the protection of animal welfare, on the farm, during transport and at the time of slaughter.” Globally, other topics take precedence over welfare issues. “The responsible use of antibiotics, to name but one impor- tant issue. Antibiotic resistance is a still growing problem worldwide. I am happy to see that the whole veterinary pro- fession is making progress. For example, since last year im- portant antibiotics can only be used on prescription basis in the US.” In the context of reducing the use of antibiotics worldwide, FVE is in favour of a global ban on the use of anti- biotics as a growth promoter and for the purpose of disease prevention. Here the FVE president also touches upon the im- portance of the ‘reciprocity principle’ that applies worldwide. “It would be strange if we, the EU member states, were to al- low the import of meat that has been produced in a way that is not allowed within the EU.”


Animal spread risk low Currently the FVE has been heavily involved with handling the fallout from COVID-19. “So far there is no evidence that animals play a substantial role in the spread of COVID-19 in


8 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 7, 2020


the human population. We do know that certain animal spe- cies are susceptible, felines and mustelids, like mink, for ex- ample. But scientists see that in animals the reproduction and transmission is generally low and the transmission even low- er,” says Dobbenburgh. He continues: “Having said that, from the start of the pandemic we expected that COVID-19 could have a negative impact on the veterinary community. We have been helping members in their work to have veterinary medicine recognised as an ‘essential activity’”. The FVE has also worked to make sure that all supplies could continue, that they remained in the so called ‘green lane’. In addition, the FVE has started online round table conferences to update its member veterinary organisations on best practices for problem solving. “Despite COVID-19, our work and our challenges are ongoing, too. Avian influenza will continue to play a worldwide role over the coming years. I worked as a poultry veterinarian dur- ing bird flu outbreaks in the Netherlands and experienced first-hand the impact that this has on poultry operations, farmers and veterinarians. We often forget the importance of vets’ well-being. With COVID-19, many veterinarians have ex- perienced difficulties in coping with the mental and econom- ic pressures. That is something the FVE also needs to address.” Dobbenburgh concludes: “If one thing has become clear from the ongoing pandemic, it is the importance of One Health: the interconnected health of people, animals and ecosys- tems. To tackle challenges like the current one, a systemic One Health approach, across sectors and disciplines is essen- tial. We have to look further. More than ever it is important to take into account the larger picture of how the interconnect- ed health of people, animals and ecosystems lies behind single health issues.”


PHOTO: DICK VAN DOORN


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