Veterinary code of professional conductcode de déontologie vétérinaire
The veterinary code of professional conduct is the set of professional rules laid down in articles R242-32 and following of the French Rural Code; it applies in particular to vets practising in France under article L241-1 of that code.
These rules form section 2 of the chapter on the Ordre des vétérinaires, covering articles R242-32 to R242-84. The current version of article R242-32 has applied since 26 November 2021, under decree no. 2021-1519.
The code applies in particular to vets practising under article L241-1, to vets from the European Union or the European Economic Area practising in France, to the companies referred to in article L241-17, and to veterinary students who do not yet hold a doctorate (article R242-32).
Article R242-33 sets out two principles: the exercise of the veterinary art is personal, and a vet may not give up their professional independence in any form.
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See also
- Ordre des vétérinaires The Ordre des vétérinaires is the statutory body every practising vet in France must join; it keeps the register of vets and enforces professional ethics and independence (article L242-1 of the French Rural Code).
- Veterinary specialist The title of veterinary specialist is reserved to vets who meet the diploma requirements of article R812-55 of the French Rural Code, in a specialty on the list set by the minister responsible for agriculture.
- Continuity and out-of-hours cover of care Continuity of care is the duty of a vet to ensure follow-up for the animals entrusted to them, and out-of-hours cover is the duty to take part in the emergency duty rota (articles R242-48 and R242-61 of the French Rural Code).