Animal Health

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SUMMARY

The law provides definitions of who qualifies to be professional assistants and veterinary surgeons. To practise in Zimbabwe in the veterinary field, it is required to be registered in the register established by the Council of Veterinary Surgeons. The Council has the mandate to regulate the profession of veterinary surgery and medicines and for improving veterinary services in Zimbabwe. Any person can be removed from the register for having contravened provisions of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, such as being found to be an unfit person on grounds such as medical reasons and abuse of drugs. Certain acts can be undertaken by people who are not registered as veterinarians. These functions include providing non-surgical treatments, performing minor operations, providing first aid and carrying out an action at the request of a registered veterinarian surgeon. While there is no definition of “veterinary para-professional” in the Veterinary Surgeons Act and Regulations, two categories of professionals are required to be registered to practice activities linked to veterinary medicine. These are the embryo transfer technician and the veterinary laboratory technologist.

The reporting of notifiable diseases is mandatory under the Animal Health Act and the list of notifiable disease is provided by the Animal Health (General) Regulations. The Animal Health Act grants the Minister of Agriculture powers through regulations to take the necessary steps and measures towards the eradication and prevention of diseases and pests in Zimbabwe. There is, however, no express provision for the formulation of contingency plans. The Public Health Act also contain provisions for the control and prevention of infectious and epidemic diseases that concern, to some extent, animal health. This Act grants the Minister of Health powers to prescribe specific measures (zoning, disinfection, etc.).

Controlling the transmission of diseases is also curtailed through measures at the various ports of entry. When entering the country’s borders, it is required to immediately report in writing to authorized personnel of an infectious animal or thing in one’s possession. An authorized person can isolate an animal that may be infected, contaminated or infested with a disease or pest. Other ancillary powers of an authorized person include prohibiting the movement of persons, animals, vehicles or infectious thing or other materials, such as burying or disposing an animal or its waste material in cases where it is suspected of being affected. The importation and exportation of animals in Zimbabwe requires the possession of a permit. Some countries are, however, exempt from this requirement on the basis that they meet the sanitary requirements. The list of countries in the regulations is not exhaustive. Other countries are exempt from this requirement based on a certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon employed by the government of the country from which the product is being imported.

REGULATION OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION

SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING

DISEASE CONTROL

CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

IMPORT CONTROL AND EXPORT CERTIFICATION

VETERINARY LABORATORIES

VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (VMP)

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK RELEVANT TO ANIMAL HEALTH