FECAVA Newsletter – November 2021
Everyone has an opinion on medicines and vaccinations now. It is worth reminding ourselves of the process to create a medicine: scientists theorize and then set about trying to prove these theories in the laboratory and then the field in order to create a medicine. Along the way, outside influences must be minimized, to keep the science pure and conclusions correct. In 2021 we have seen politics attempt to influence science to reduce our access to Veterinary Medicines.
In short, The European Medicines Agency conducted a scientific review and created a categorization of Critically Important Antimicrobials, in order that in the future, we would have medicines for our families and medicines to protect animal welfare, both in pets and food animals. Our executives and volunteers in FECAVA and FVE diligently checked the new EU Veterinary Medicine Regulations and Delegated Acts, winning some arguments and losing others, yet remaining true to our core values as veterinarians, to follow the science and to protect animal welfare. This summer, other parties brought politics into the scientific arena to further their cause: this resulted in the biggest mobilization of our profession in FECAVA and FVE history, to ensure the science won and our politicians continue to respect the science and our European institutions that produced it.
So, as we approach the December holidays, spare a thought for our human counterparts as they share the science to steadfastly try and help governments contain and reduce COVID cases. Play your part as scientists and back them at every opportunity, regardless of how the restrictions may inflict on our freedom. Our own experience in 2021 shows how precious trust in our scientists can be.
Danny Holmes
FECAVA Vice President