How Veterinary Statutory Bodies Can Strengthen the Workforce

Over centuries, caring for sick and injured animals has evolved into veterinary medicine, a profession that encompasses the health and welfare of animals, people and ecosystems. Today, veterinary medicine brings together complex science and technology with equally complex ethical questions. The impact of 21st-century veterinary medicine extends far beyond the animals under a veterinarian’s care and their owners. The prevention and control of infectious diseases, the assurance of food safety and food security, and the safeguarding of animal welfare are matters that concern society as a whole. As veterinary regulators, Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) play an important role in ensuring the quality of veterinary work. Yet, there is far more they can do.

To address current challenges, a knowledgeable, skilled and resilient veterinary workforce is fundamental: one that can be called upon whenever and wherever needed. Establishing and maintaining a global veterinary workforce that meets current needs and expectations requires strong collaboration among multiple organisations and individuals. Governments, intergovernmental organisations, veterinary education establishments (VEEs), business operators, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and organisations representing veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs), among others, must work together to achieve this common goal. Organisations whose contributions are sometimes underestimated or overlooked in this respect are VSBs.

From Regulation to Leadership: Working Beyond Discipline

The main responsibility of any VSB is to ensure the quality of veterinary medicine and care. The tools used to achieve this include the licensing and registration of veterinarians and VPPs, the setting of standards for undergraduate and postgraduate education, and the establishment and enforcement of standards for professional and ethical conduct.  

As reflected in the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, the evaluation tool of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), regulation of the profession by a VSB is recognised as one of the critical competencies (III.5) of a country’s Veterinary Services. The PVS Pathway states that ‘the VSB shall have the authority and capacity to effectively and independently maintain educational and professional standards for veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals’ [1]. The highest PVS evaluation level for VSB performance, Level 5, further specifies that ‘the VSB regulates and applies disciplinary measures to veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals in all sectors throughout the country’ [1].  

Importantly, the evaluation refers to both regulation and application of disciplinary measures. However, in many countries, VSBs appear to devote a substantial proportion of their regulatory activity to disciplinary procedures. Considerable time and resources are invested in investigating complaints, professional conduct concerns and suspected breaches of veterinary deontology [2,3]. While this is an essential function of VSBs, it is a largely reactive approach. 

From Reactive to Proactive Regulation

A more proactive approach to regulating the veterinary profession could include initiatives that strengthen both the veterinary workforce and the quality of veterinary services. High-quality veterinary services benefit not only animals, their owners and society as a whole, but also improve job satisfaction among veterinarians and VPPs.  

As part of their licensing role, VSBs must regularly consult with VEEs and institutions involved in the education of veterinary professionals and VPPs, particularly in defining educational standards. Through their members, VSBs have a valuable overview of what may be needed in veterinary education in the coming decades. This may involve new technologies, such as the use of real-time sensors to remotely monitor animal health and behaviour, or addressing sustainability concerns such as avoiding residues of medicinal products in the environment and minimising surgical waste. VSBs can provide essential input to VEEs and, by maintaining professional registration and continuous professional development training data, support national veterinary workforce planning to address gaps in the delivery of veterinary services.  

VSBs can also draw much-needed attention to the importance of ethics in veterinary medicine. In an era in which commercial pressures increasingly shape professional practices, there is often an assumption that market forces alone will deliver the best outcomes. As a result, less visible aspects of good-quality care, particularly ethical considerations, can easily be overlooked. The development of deontology codes and the promotion of compliance with them are therefore important. Such codes should not be set in stone, but should remain living documents that evolve over time alongside changing working environments. New developments, such as the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance and the growth of artificial intelligence can be addressed in these codes. For example, the Veterinary Council of Ireland has dedicated an entire chapter of its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to the responsible use of medicinal products in animals, particularly antibiotics and antiparasitics [4]. The codes can also include provisions on matters such as teamwork within the veterinary profession and good employment practices for younger colleagues, which can help to avoid disappointments and retain people in the profession. These codes contribute to a transparent way of working and provide clarity about what is expected (or not) by those receiving veterinary services. 

Furthermore, VSBs can develop protocols and guidelines for specific situations. These provide support to individual veterinarians in making professional decisions and justifying them. However, it should be noted that following protocols does not necessarily guarantee good-quality service [5,6]. Protocols and guidelines are like traffic signs: important and helpful, but professional judgement, overview and prudence are equally important. For valid reasons, for example to avoid animal suffering, a veterinarian could decide to deviate from a protocol regarding the use of veterinary medicinal products. However, the veterinarian remains responsible and accountable for such decisions and must always be able to explain and justify any deviation, including before a disciplinary committee. In this context, VSBs should proactively promote the use of digital record-keeping systems, which can increase transparency, efficiency and trust.  

Another role that VSBs can assume is addressing situations in which the independent and impartial role of the veterinarian comes under pressure. This may arise, for example, when veterinarians are faced with conflicting legislation or with the expansion of private equity in veterinary care, which brings both benefits and risks.  

Last but not least, VSBs that have not yet done so should give serious attention to the regulation of VPPs. Well-regulated, knowledgeable and skilled paraprofessionals who can be relied upon are of great value and can significantly support the work of veterinarians. For example, they can assist with patient triage, helping to free up time so that veterinarians can focus on the areas where their expertise is most needed. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK has included a specific article in its ‘Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons’ [5] addressing the delegation of tasks to appropriately trained and registered veterinary nurses. In addition, the RCVS has developed a separate ‘Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses’ [7]. 

Proper regulation of VPPs will contribute to their professional recognition and enhance their self-esteem, which in turn supports motivation and greater job satisfaction.

Communication is Key

Strong governance within VSBs ensures credibility, integrity, accountability and independence, especially where professional socio-political pressures, ministerial interference or institutional fragmentation occurs. Transparent and inclusive decision-making systems within VSBs build trust and ensure stakeholder support for regulation [8]. Therefore, excellent communication by the VSB with its members and stakeholders is essential. To gain sufficient support for its actions, the VSB should communicate consistently about its role and activities. It is crucial that VSBs explain at an early stage what they do and why they do so. Especially with regard to the functioning of disciplinary councils, VSBs must emphasise that their purpose is not to frustrate veterinarians, as is often perceived in practice. A well-functioning disciplinary system works in two directions: it protects recipients of veterinary services from underperforming practitioners, while also protecting veterinarians from unreasonable demands and unfair complaints, as well as supporting public trust in the profession as a whole. 

Overall, forward-looking, ambitious and energetic VSBs have much to contribute. The different actions described can be addressed one by one and, when implemented properly, each of them will strengthen the veterinary workforce. This will benefit the animals under a veterinarian’s care, their owners, society at large and, last but not least, veterinarians and VPPs. 

Main image: ©Maria Pilar Martinez Aguerri, Getty Images

References  

[1] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services: PVS Tool. Seventh Edition. Paris (France): 2023; 67 pp. https://doi.org/10.20506/PVS.3428  

[2] Boissevain IE, van Rooij M, Jongbloed AW, Meijboom FLB, Hesselink JW, Mandigers PJJ. (2022). 15 years of facts and figures on veterinary disciplinary measures in the Netherlands. Front. Vet. Sci. 9:987797.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.987797 

[3] Berg C, Vickers H. (2024). Complaints to the veterinary disciplinary board related to the euthanasia of animals. Front. Vet. Sci. 11:1480106. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1480106 

[4] Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI). Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners. Revised April 2024. Dublin (Ireland): VCI; 2025; 160 pp. Available at: https://cms.vci.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/VCI-Code-of-Conduct-Report-Final-Revised-April-2025.pdf (accessed on 27 April 2026). 

[5] Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons. London (United Kingdom): RCVS; 2025. Available at: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/conduct-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons (accessed on 27 April 2026). 

[6] Mullan S, Main D. Principles of ethical decision-making in veterinary practice. In Practice. 2001;23(7):394-401. https://doi.org/10.1136/inpract.23.7.394 

[7] Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Nurses. London (United Kingdom): RCVS; 2025. Available at: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-professionals/conduct-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses (accessed on 8 May 2026). 

[8] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Paris (France): WOAH; 2024. Chapter 3.2.: Quality of Veterinary Services; Article 3.2.12.: International Trade; and Chapter 3.4.: Veterinary Legislation. Available at: https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahc/2024/en_sommaire.htm (accessed on 27 April 2026).