South African Veterinary Council

AUTHORISATION : SECTION 23 (1) (c)

THIS POLICY GUIDELINE HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY AN AD HOC COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL AND THE POLICY WAS APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON 28 MAY 2002

AUTHORISATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 23(1)(c) OF THE VETERINARY

AND PARA-VETERINARY PROFESSIONS ACT

Section 23 of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act (Act 19 of 1982) prohibits unregistered persons from practising any of the professions referred to in the Act or performing any of the procedures referred to in the Act. Whereas the Council would prefer all services rendered and/or procedures performed in terms of the Act to be rendered/performed by registered individuals, it recognises the need for such services to be rendered/procedures to be performed by other individuals under specific circumstances from time to time.

SECTION 23(1)(c) permits the Veterinary Council to authorise a non-registered person in writing to render FOR GAIN a service deemed to pertain specially to a veterinary or para-veterinary profession. Gain can be direct or indirect for own account or within the scope of employment with any employer, including the State, and includes professional experience gained as a result of such employment. The authority granted is subject to such conditions as the Council may determine.

Whereas the main objective of Council is to have all persons performing these activities registered as veterinary or para-veterinary professionals, authorisation is aimed at promoting good standards of practice and protecting the professions as well as members of the public through maintenance of the ethical code and disciplinary powers of the Council.

It must be noted that the practising of a veterinary or para-veterinary profession means the rendering of any service deemed by the rules to relate specially to the veterinary or relevant para-veterinary profession or the supplying or selling of any veterinary medicine, as defined. Specific attention is particularly given to the performing of any act aimed at the diagnosing, treating or preventing of any pathological condition in any animal or which constitutes a surgical operation on any animal.

The following information serves as a guideline for those who wish to make application to the Veterinary Council for authorisation in terms of Section 23 of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act (Act 19 of 1982) to render for gain a service deemed to pertain specially to a veterinary or para-veterinary profession.

All applicants should take note of the Council document relating to workpermits