About EBVS

Background
European Board for Veterinary Specialisation
Policies and procedures
Constitution
Use of EBVS Logo

Background

The initiative to organise veterinary specialisation on a European level was taken by a group of veterinarians in 1989. They formed a working group and 1990 saw the creation of the European Association for Veterinary Specialisation (EAVS). A draft document was submitted for discussion to the FVE and to the Advisory Committee of Veterinary Training (ACVT) of the European Commission in 1990. The draft version was amended in subsequent meetings and in 1992, the ACVT adopted the "Report and Recommendations for the Trans-national Organisation of Veterinary Specialisation". The ACVT specified that there should be a clear distinction between a specialist qualification and a particular expertise in a certain discipline. Veterinary specialist qualifications should be based upon a substantial and measurable amount of postgraduate training.

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European Board for Veterinary Specialisation

A Co-ordinating Committee for Veterinary Specialisation was initially to be set up by the ACVT, but this was abandoned in view of the subsidiarity principle of the Maastricht Treaty (1992). Instead, a European Board for Veterinary Specialisation (EBVS) was established with help from the EAVS. Members of the EBVS are representatives from the recognised colleges. Each college has to appoint one representative and one alternative representative for a three-year term. Observers (from ACVT, EAEVE and FVE) were also added to the board. The EBVS has an executive Board. The EBVS annual meeting is held once a year in spring.

The main objectives and duties of the EBVS are:

• To recognise new speciality Colleges
• Set up and maintain a register of European veterinary specialists
• Assure the quality of these specialists by monitoring the Colleges.
• Encourage and promote the enhanced utilisation and availability of speciality services to the public and the veterinary profession

Current members of the Executive Board (2008) of the EBVS are:

• Stefano Romagnoli - President since 01st Apr 2008
• Neil Forbes - Vice-President since 01st Apr 2008
• Frank Gasthuys - Past-President since 01st Apr 2008
• Peter O'Brien - Secretary since 01st Apr 2008
• Jens Arnbjerg - Treasurer since 01st Jan 2000

The EBVS is registered by the Chamber of Commerce in Utrecht, the Netherlands as a non-profit organisation.

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Policies and procedures

The EBVS has developed detailed guidelines for the recognition of Colleges. Click here to view the policies and procedures of the EBVS.

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Use of EBVS Logo

The EBVS has two registered logos:

(in low resolution)	(in low resolution)

The purpose of the EBVS logo is to increase the identity of European veterinary specialists towards veterinarians, institutions, and animal owners.

The logo has been officially registered by the EBVS. This means that the EBVS is the owner of this logo and that permission to use this logo has to be asked of the EBVS.

The use of this logo is only allowed to diplomates which are registered in the EBVS register as fully active specialists.

The conditions for use of the logo, the control of, and the possible sanctions for misuse are written down in the regulations. Please make sure that you read the contents of these regulations in detail.

Please return the request form to the secretary of the EBVS ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). She will send the logo to you by email.