EASVO General Assembly Finland June 2026
Rovaniemi, Finland
EASVO convened its General Assembly on 11 June under the midnight sun of Rovaniemi, Finland and brought together members and key stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges and strategic priorities for the veterinary profession across Europe.
Discussions focused on pressing issues including:
Climate change impacts on animal health and welfare
Illegal animal trade and pet movement
Invasive species
Cross-border veterinary services and national disease situations
Strengthening collaboration within the veterinary community
A joint session with the UEVH explored opportunities for closer cooperation, including shared positions on regulatory topics such as meat inspection and reducing administrative burden.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was agreed, marking a significant step towards closer integration of EASVO within the FVE framework.
Innovation in meat inspection: EASVO discussed pragmatic approaches to address workforce shortages in low-capacity slaughterhouses, including remote inspections supported by digital tools.
Early Career Network expansion: The network will be opened further to non-members and FVE participants to strengthen engagement with the next generation of state veterinarians.
The Assembly reaffirmed EASVO’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and strengthening veterinary public health systems across Europe, while supporting FVE initiatives and working groups.
EASVO General Assembly
Limassol, Cyprus
On 13 November 2025, the hybrid EASVO General Assembly took place and elected a new Board: Mark McCarthy (IE) will serve as President from 2025-2027, supported by two Vice-Presidents – Andrea Leutgöb-Ozlberger (AT) and Mikko Turku (FI), Secretary General – Jean-Pierre Orand and Treasurer – Cornelia Rossi-Broy (DE).
The meeting marked 45 years of EASVO, with a look back at the association’s achievements presented by Romano Zilli. Members and guests (Ulrike Winter, Military veterinarian and EASVO representative to the FVE VPH/S WG, Jane Clark, FVE Vice President, and John de Jong, WVA Immediate Past President) heard from
The young EASVO network on their topics in the last months, including violence against official veterinarians, illegal pet trade, vector-borne diseases, and invasive species
The Members Round Table on the national Animal diseases situation, Violence and intimidation against inspectors, Predator management, Communication, Trust and Public Perception
A joint session on biosecurity with the fellow FVE Sections
During these discussions, the EASVO General Assembly voted unanimously for a move of EASVO under the FVE umbrella and voted unanimously in favour of the new joint FVE, FECAVA and WSAVA position statement: Support for a phase-out of fur farming and the FVE position statement Animal Vaccination: A Socio-Economic Cornerstone of Animal Health and European Resilience.
https://fve.org/publications/position-statement-on-fur-farming/
https://fve.org/publications/prevention-is-better-than-killing/
EASVO INVITED ALL FVE MEMBERS TO NOMINATE A STATE VETERINARY OFFICER AS OBSERVER TO THE EASVO YOUNG NETWORK FOR 2026.
EASVO General Assembly
Leuven, Belgium
The European Association of State Veterinary Officers (EASVO) held its General Assembly in a hybrid format, welcoming members, guests, and observers to discuss shared challenges, national updates, and European-level priorities for the veterinary profession.
Key contributions included a presentation from the Young Official Veterinarians Network, highlighting the need for greater interagency collaboration and support around digital certification (TRACES), and a thesis presentation on veterinary workforce shortages in France. The Members’ Round Table featured updates on animal health situations across Europe, including the UK’s new negligible BSE risk status and discussions around the upcoming EU-UK veterinary agreement.
EASVO issued several recommendations to the FVE General Assembly, including:
Prompt adoption of the draft position on fur farming.
Addressing violence against veterinarians via the 4th VetSurvey.
Exploring formal structures under the FVE umbrella.
Monitoring workforce availability and developing forecasting models.
Strengthening coordination with TRACES contact points.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative European veterinary leadership and thanked all members, guests, and FVE partners for their continued engagement. The next General Assembly will be held in Cyprus in November 2025.
EASVO General Assembly
Brussels, Belgium
The EASVO General Assembly took place in Brussels, Belgium on November 28th, 2024 at the Public Health Ministry building, Avenue Galilée / Galileelaan, 1210 Brussels. Members from 13 countries met in a hybrid session chaired by Mark McCarthy.
EASVO reported stable finances but agreed to raise 2026 membership fees in line with European inflation; Romano Zilli was elected second auditor.
The Assembly confirmed continued FVE secretariat support and encouraged hybrid meetings.
Members were urged to share news for the updated EASVO website and to engage younger colleagues via the Young EASVO Network.
Animal disease updates included HPAI, ASF, Bluetongue, EHD, and bovine TB across Europe.
Discussions on FVE’s 2026-2030 strategy stressed visibility, cooperation, and education for Official Veterinarians.
EASVO recommended clarifying TRACES signature rules and promoting OV roles in pandemic preparedness.
Next General Assembly: 26 June 2025, Leuven (Belgium).
- 1
- …
- 5