Agriculture Minister Willy BORSUS has decided to set up a Veterinary Observatory (OBSVET). Thanks to this project, for which a budget of €248,000 has been allocated, Wallonia will have a permanent and lasting map of the veterinary businesses working to protect Walloon agricultural production, particularly its animal production.
The world is changing at breakneck speed, and society faces potential crises in animal health and epidemics. In this context, the availability of veterinarians, their ability to respond to emergencies and the geographic coverage of their services are becoming increasingly crucial.
Currently, there is no tool in Wallonia that gives us this information. The OBSVET project aims to fill this gap.
OBSVET aims to maintain and improve animal health coverage and epidemiological surveillance in the face of growing pressure on veterinary SMEs in Wallonia. The health status of the livestock is a crucial factor in the quality of animal production and the profitability of Walloon farms. The establishment of the observatory is intended to ensure close and constant monitoring of animal health, thereby contributing to the sustainability and profitability of our family farms.
It should also be noted that the tool will make it possible to collect and analyse data on the distribution of veterinarians, their situation, and their capacity to respond to emergencies or urgent requests. Indeed, it is clear that in recent years veterinarians have been under particular pressure, both psychologically and administratively. The issue of young veterinarians in Wallonia quickly abandoning traditional practice, and the number of suicides, are particularly serious findings. Moreover, numerous studies highlight the arduousness of the veterinary profession. This stress, particularly in rural areas, can lead to disaffection with the profession and a decline in the quality of service provided to Walloon farmers. OBSVET will also have the task of supporting veterinarians by monitoring their wellbeing and identifying opportunities to improve their working conditions.
The Veterinary SME Observatory is a proactive initiative bringing together several partners - the Veterinary Professional Union, the French-speaking regional council of the Order of Veterinarians, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Liège and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain - aiming to proactively address several critical issues relating to the veterinary profession, livestock management, animal health, and the capacity to respond in the event of a health emergency in Wallonia.
Willy BORSUS: “The OBSVET project is a concrete response to the challenges facing the veterinary profession in Wallonia, particularly in the agricultural sector. This tool has a multiple purpose. But its clear aim is to help take the right measures to safeguard the veterinary profession. ”