Memo: Questions and Answers on the World Veterinary Day celebration in Brussels

The World Veterinary Day was introduced by the World Veterinary Association (founded in 1906) in the year 2000, to be commemorated on the last Saturday of April, usually with an accompanying theme. This year, World Veterinary Day is on April 25 and the theme is 'Veterinarians and Livestock Farmers: A Winning Partnership'.

The World Veterinary Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of veterinarians to society. Indeed, veterinarians play a crucial role in the link between animals, their owners and society at large, and are responsible not only for animal health, but also animal welfare, public health, food safety and food security.

In 2008, the World Veterinary Association and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) agreed on the creation of the World Veterinary Day Award aimed at rewarding the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected veterinary body. The 2009 Award will be delivered at the 77th OIE General Assembly to be held in Paris, France on 24-29 May 2009.

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