1 UEVP GA Bruxelles 11 novembre 2010

2 Veterinary state of play in France

3 History The two first french veterinary schools, Lyon and Maisons Alfort, have been edificated by King Louis XV in 1763 and 1764.

Statistics veterinarians enrolled in Ordre national des vétérinaires 60 % are men and 40 % are women 59 % in small animal practice and 28 % in rural area 2/3 are private vets and 1/3 are salaried vets 1/3 of the private vets are working alone 2/3 of the private vets are associated vets

5 Actual trends 65 % of new enrolled vets in the french Order are women 66 % of female veterinarians are salaried vets

6 Veterinarians in rural area About 5000 vets are working in a rural area in France Replacing isolated vets, big clinics are growing working in network, with the support of large teams and highly specialized labs Despite of emerging diseases (BSE, Swine Fever, Blue Tongue, Avian influenza,…) it is a pitty that young vets do not want to work in a rural practice, and that is a big problem for the french government.

7 Forthcoming measures in favour of rural veterinarians Better definition of veterinary act Higher fares for veterinary honorarium Economical measures for encouraging rural vets practicing

8 Veterinary education in France To-day: 7 years post secondary studies: 2 years in scientific matters preparing the exam before entering the veterinary schools for 5 years numerus clausus Veterinary degree (doctor diploma) in 4 national schools : - Ecole d’Alfort - Ecole de Lyon - Ecole de Nantes - Ecole de Toulouse Nearly 50% of the new enrolled vets in France do not come from a french veterinary school!!

9 Wishable evolution in veterinary education What should be engaged : - one year reduction in the curriculum, - more specialization in the orientation, - better coordination between veterinary schools teaching Veterinary profession wishes changes in turning the only Ministery of ahgriculture supervision in a mixed Health- High Education – Agriculture supervision.

10 Veterinary research in France Is « swallowed » by agronomic rsearch There is insufficient research in biological and clinical subjects Is suffering from Ministery of Agriculture and Agronomic Research national Institute supervision Should develop and concentrate the human and material meanings Should get closer to human medical research

11 Conclusion Veterinary profession must modernise itself, but keeping its professional identity. The role of the veterinarians must be recognised as irreplaceble in Public Health.