World Veterinary Day Award
To celebrate the World Veterinary Day (WVD) that will take place globally on 28 th April 2018, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) are organizing the World Veterinary Day Award to reward the most successful contribution by the veterinary profession on the selected theme for 2018. The competition is open to all WVA member associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected body.
The winner of the World Veterinary Day Award 2018 will be announced on the WVA and OIE websites on 15th June 2018.
The theme for this year’s award is: The role of the veterinary profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods, food security and safety
A large part of the world population lives in rural areas where animals are indispensable for their livelihood and access to food. Many farmers in these areas depend on animals as the main source of income. For numerous households, animals are also the best means to preserve the necessary resources to cope with agricultural crises, to exit poverty, or to help to keep the soil fertile and provide traction for ploughing and transport.
It is estimated that the world population will reach 9.7 billion people by 2050 and the demand for animal protein and by-products will grow respectively. By preventing and controlling animal diseases, veterinarians play a crucial role in securing sufficient and safe high-quality food, improving the health and welfare of people and animals. They contribute to ensure the existence of sufficient resources for future generations by supporting the development of sustainable, responsible and efficient livestock production systems.
Furthermore, the veterinary profession is responsible for the control and inspection of animal products at all stages “from farm to fork” to guarantee safe food to the world population. It also positively impacts a wide range of employment fields that deliver services for the benefit of society and all animals. These activities will contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty, zero hunger, good health and economic growth.
For more information on World Veterinary Day and the awards program, visit the World Veterinary Association website.
