Environmental and animal hygiene - indispensable subject for veterinary education?

Based on conference reports, publications, and personal experiences in the field of veterinary environmental hygiene in Germany and abroad, the questi on is discussed whether the subjects environmental and animal hygiene have to be considered as indispensable subjects for the curricula in veterinary education or only play a secondary role as a fringe area of veterinary medi cine. The analysis and evaluation of the relevant literature have shown tha t this subject has gained an extraordinary significance for science and pra ctice during the last 4-5 decades. Due to its close interconnections with r elated fields of science like agriculture, human medicine, biology, ecology , engineering sciences and economics the veterinary environmental and anima l hygiene has reached such a high standing that it is now an indispensable component of veterinary education in Germany.