THE CHANGING TASK OF THE VETERINARIAN IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION - DEMANDSRELATIVE TO DIAGNOSTIC-TESTS, RISK ANALYSIS AND THE NEED FOR CERTIFICATION OF FIRMS

Various new developments in livestock production confront the veterina rian. In addition to integrated Food Chain Quality Control, certificat ion of farms for animal health status and also for production methods is becoming increasingly important. Certification for veterinary pract ices is forthcoming. In order to optimize national herd health, quanti tative information is needed and certain methods have to be improved. The veterinarian must be able to apply new techniques adequately and t o interpret disease- and environment-related data properly Problem are as are highlighted and different ways of dealing with them are elabora ted upon. It is concluded that the veterinarian is strategically posit ioned to solve these problems, but that suitable, complementory traini ng is needed, as well as new quantitative research.