Evaluation of Veterinary Services

Article 3.3.1.

General considerations

This chapter covers the evaluation of a country's Veterinary Services, including the various objectives and types of evaluation that may be considered.

Member Countries may develop their own mechanisms and methods for the evaluation of their Veterinary Services. The evaluation of the quality of Veterinary Services should be in accordance with Chapter 3.2.

The Tool for the Evaluation of Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS Tool) provides a thorough, benchmarked methodology for the consistent, comprehensive evaluation of Veterinary Services. The PVS Tool is aligned with the WOAH standards, in particular, with the quality standards for Veterinary Services defined in Chapter 3.2. Based on the PVS Tool, WOAH has developed a capacity-building platform, the PVS Pathway, for the sustainable improvement of the compliance of a country's Veterinary Services with WOAH standards.

Article 3.3.2.

Objectives of the evaluation of Veterinary Services

The evaluation of Veterinary Services has the following objectives:

1. to provide an independent, objective perspective on the performance of Veterinary Services;

2. to verify performance, provide confidence, enhance reputation and avoid complacency, and as part of a process of continuous improvement;

3. to demonstrate compliance of the Veterinary Services with Chapter 3.2.;

4. to better advocate for, allocate and prioritise resources;

5. to generate trust between trading partners in the quality and integrity of Veterinary Services.

The evaluation of Veterinary Services can be performed by the country itself (self-evaluation), by another country or countries, or by WOAH experts under the auspices of WOAH as part of the PVS Pathway.

Article 3.3.3.

Self-evaluation of the Veterinary Services of a Member Country

1. Member Countries should undertake self-evaluation of their Veterinary Services periodically as part of their quality management system.

2. Self-evaluation may be undertaken by the Competent Authorities for the whole or part of the Veterinary Services. The Competent Authorities should consider the principle of independence when carrying out self-evaluations.

3. Self-evaluation at the sub-national level such as individual regions, provinces or states can usefully supplement national level evaluation.

4. The use of the PVS Tool is encouraged.

Article 3.3.4.

Evaluation of the Veterinary Services of a Member Country by another Member Country

1. Every Member Country should recognise the right of another Member Country to request, in a non-discriminatory manner, an evaluation of its Veterinary Services to facilitate decision-making on trade.

2. The evaluation should be in accordance with Chapter 3.2.

3. The evaluation process may be desktop or field based, and cover whole or part of the Veterinary Services, depending on its objective.

4. A Member Country that intends to conduct an evaluation of another Member Country's Veterinary Services should give them notice in writing. This should define the purpose and scope of the evaluation and detail the information required.

5. Prior to the evaluation, the parties should agree on the objective, scope and approach of the evaluation, including any financing and confidentiality requirements.

6. The evaluation should be conducted in accordance with the fundamental operating principles set-out for Veterinary Services in Article 3.2.2. in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring that the evaluation activity is undertaken only to the extent necessary.

7. The evaluation should start with a review of available information including existing PVS Pathway or other reports, analysis of publicly available or previously provided information, or historical performance such as that relating to safe trade or transparency.

8. The outcome of the evaluation conducted by another Member Country should be provided in writing to the evaluated country as soon as possible. The evaluation report should detail any findings which affect trade prospects. The Member Country which conducts the evaluation should clarify any points of the evaluation on request, and provide the opportunity for the evaluated country to clarify or respond to the findings before the production of the final evaluation report.

9. The use of the PVS Tool is encouraged.

Article 3.3.5.

Evaluation of the Veterinary Services of a Member Country by WOAH experts, under the auspices of WOAH

1. WOAH has established procedures for the evaluation of the Veterinary Services of a Member Country using the PVS Tool, following a voluntary request from the Member Country.

2. The report of such an evaluation belongs to the Veterinary Authority of the Member Country. WOAH encourages Member Countries to make their reports publicly available.

3. Member Countries are encouraged to use these reports in a transparent way to achieve some or all of the objectives listed in Article 3.3.2.

4. Support for further use of the evaluation report in national planning and targeted capacity building is available from WOAH as part of its PVS Pathway.

nb: first adopted in 2002; most recent update adopted in 2021.