Colleagues, the European integration of Ukraine’s veterinary sector is taking on increasingly clear shape with each passing day. As Secretary of the SVVS NGO, I am carefully tracking all strategic decisions made at the General Assembly of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) in Finland, guided by the official meeting agenda.
The Assembly’s daytime session brought extremely important news for our community, particularly regarding international animal welfare legislation, continuing professional development (CPD), and the mental health of veterinary teams.
A historic step by the EU: mandatory microchipping and registration of dogs and cats.
The most notable event of the session was a detailed review of the new European legislation regarding the traceability of pets. The European Parliament voted for this regulation on April 28, and the Council of the EU officially adopted it on May 22, 2026. The document is currently awaiting publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
What the new Regulation entails and why it matters for Ukraine:
- Comprehensive identification: Mandatory microchipping and registration are introduced for all dogs and cats bred or kept within the European Union.
- Strict standards for breeding facilities: Minimum animal welfare criteria are established for commercial breeders.
- Regulation of online sales: The new rules significantly restrict opportunities for the illegal online sale of animals and aim to completely eradicate the illicit trade in pets.
- Focus on EU candidate countries: The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, together with partners such as RSPCA Europe, is actively launching large-scale information campaigns (featuring brochures and explanatory materials) regarding responsible pet ownership. This initiative targets not only EU member states but also candidate countries, including Ukraine. We must begin preparing our veterinary sector and clients now for the implementation of these rigorous yet civilized standards. It is also worth noting that the mandate of the EU Platform on Animal Welfare, active since 2017, has been officially extended until June 30, 2030.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Redefining Veterinarian Resilience
Another key area of discussion was the analysis of the intensity of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Maintaining records and undergoing quality audits places a tremendous burden on veterinary associations, as the resulting documentation runs to hundreds of pages several times a year. Nevertheless, this is the only way to uphold the profession's high standards. Delegates paid particular attention to internal training sessions focused on the mental well-being of veterinary students and early-career professionals. European experts highlighted a revolutionary paradigm shift:
Resilience (the ability to withstand stress and pressure) should no longer be viewed merely as a personal trait or an individual veterinarian's capacity to cope with excessive workloads. Instead, resilience must be defined and built at the level of the entire veterinary system - whether within a clinic or an organization - much like the approach taken in other high-precision industries.
This means that clinic owners must create working conditions where the system protects the individual from burnout, rather than demanding that the doctor be made of iron.
Proactive strategy for engagement with the European Commission.
Meeting participants discussed in detail the coordination of responses to European Commission initiatives. Europe’s veterinary community is shifting from a reactive stance on legislation to a proactive role in shaping objectives. The next major round of discussions regarding these goals and the updating of publication standards on veterinary platforms is scheduled for September. This will facilitate improved oversight and the practical implementation of European directives.
Join us in shaping the future with the SVBO NGO.
As a future EU member, Ukraine must integrate these standards into its own reality. Mandatory animal registration, combating the illegal market, and developing systems to protect staff from burnout - these are the tasks we at the "Society of Veterinary Business Owners" (uacbbc.org) are already tackling today.
We invite forward-thinking veterinary clinic owners, managers, and veterinarians in Ukraine to join our non-governmental organization. Together, we will adapt European legislation, gain access to advanced CPD training programs, and build a safe, sustainable veterinary business sector in our country. Register at uacbbc.org and become part of significant change!
Author: Oksana Bilous, Secretary of the NGO "Society of Veterinary Business Owners".
