World Veterinary Day / recognizing the essential contributions of veterinarians to Codex

By Brandi Robinson, Food and Drug Administration, United States of America
Chairperson Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF)

Veterinarians have contributed to the development of Codex codes of practice, guidelines, and standards on many topics ranging from animal feeding to contaminants in feed, to residues of veterinary drugs in food, to antimicrobial resistance.

With their expertise, veterinarians are integral to the ongoing work of the CCRVD which is charged with developing standards for veterinary drug residues found in food from treated animals. These standards help protect consumers by ensuring food from treated animals is safe to eat.

Experts in protecting animal health, monitoring animal disease patterns, and ensuring good practice in the use of veterinary drugs, their expertise in how veterinary drugs are used to protect and promote animal health and the development of a safe and abundant food supply ensures standards are developed that reflect the real needs of Member Countries. Veterinarians are best placed to understand the impact of veterinary drugs on animal health and subsequently on public health. The experience they bring helps to ensure that the standards developed by CCRVDF are relevant to meet global public health needs.

The Codex Alimentarius, and CCRVDF in particular, rely on veterinarians for their essential expertise on the use of veterinary drugs to develop food safety standards.  

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Photo credit: © FAO/Ishara Kodikara