Glossary
Vétérinaire sanitaireState-authorised animal-health vet
A vétérinaire sanitaire is a French vet holding a prefect-issued authorisation (article L203-1 of the Rural Code) to carry out the State’s compulsory disease prevention and surveillance on a keeper’s behalf.
The authorisation requires training and an assessment, and renews tacitly every 5 years with continuing education. It is distinct from the sanitary mandate, under which the State entrusts the vet with animal-disease control missions. The comparison with the UK Official Veterinarian is only approximate.
Sources
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).