The transition to a private veterinary service was started in Azerbaijan

The process of transition to a private veterinary service is started from today in Azerbaijan. In this regard, a conference on the theme of the "Private veterinary: Improving, Competitive and Quality Services to Farmers" was held in Baku.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture Inam Karimov said that ongoing reforms are being carried out to make agricultural services more accessible to farmers and improve the quality of services provided in a competitive environment. The introduction of private veterinary services can be considered a clear example of this: “After the transition to private services, our veterinary specialists will work in a healthy competitive environment. This competitive environment will create the need for them to further develop their knowledge and skills, to have service qualities that meet modern standards. The competitive environment will ultimately improve the quality of livestock services, which will benefit both our professionals and our farmers”.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Food Safety Agency, Goshgar Tahmazli said that extracts from the register will be presented to those engaged in private veterinary activities. In this way, they will contribute to the improvement of services and, consequently, to food and food safety in the country.

Speaking at the conference, Sarah Michael, World Bank Country Manager, Malak Cakmak, Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, and Mirza Aliyev, chairman of the Agrarian Services Agency, briefed the participants on the importance and purpose of the transition to private veterinary services. Afterwards, an informative video on the transition to a private veterinary service was shown, and a ceremony was held to sign service contracts with veterinarians in 6 districts selected as pilots - Gabala Gakh, Balakan, Zagatala, Oguz and Shaki.

It should be noted that the transition to private veterinary services covers 1,624 field veterinarians working in 798 field veterinary stations in the country and funded by the state budget. Veterinarians will work in stages from September 1 to the end of this year on the basis of a service contract with the Agrarian Services Agency. After the transition to a private service, the Agrarian Services Agency will entrust the implementation of measures for the prevention, diagnosis and elimination of special dangerous diseases (vaccination, collection of blood samples, etc.) financed from the state budget to private veterinarians on a contract basis. In addition, veterinarians who have started private service, on the basis of a service contract, inspect meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, active and passive observation against diseases, identification of animals, etc. will also perform tasks.

Other diseases financed by farmers will be paid for by a contract or agreement between private veterinarians and farmers. Private service will also allow the farmer to choose the job of the veterinarian and receive efficient, affordable, quality service.

In addition, it is planned to establish a non-profit organization - Veterinary Status Body (VSB) to effectively manage veterinary practice in the country, ensure compliance of the veterinary system with international standards, regulate the professional activities of veterinarians and paramedics, and provide access to foreign markets for livestock products.

It will be tasked with supporting the regulation of veterinary services in the public and private sectors, maintaining the register and register of veterinarians, and representing and defending the common interests of private veterinarians in governmental and non-governmental bodies.