NZVA endorses voluntary bonding scheme changes

NZVA endorses voluntary bonding scheme changes

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is pleased with the changes made to the voluntary veterinary bonding scheme announced recently by Agriculture Minister David Carter.

When the scheme was launched in early 2009 concern was expressed by veterinary practices about the scheme being limited to specific geographical areas of the country.

The changes to the scheme expand the criteria to cover all practices that deal with production animals.

NZVA president Richard Wild said the scheme had stimulated a lot of discussion within the veterinary profession over the past year, and whether it would make a positive contribution to the issue of retaining young graduates in rural veterinary practice.

“The NZVA believes the voluntary bonding scheme is an important component of an overall strategy to ensure New Zealand has a veterinary workforce that is serving the needs of the agriculture industry, which is so important to New Zealand’s economy,” he said.

The NZVA along with the Veterinary Council, and the veterinary school at the Palmerston North campus of Massey University, have been looking closely at the rural veterinary workforce issues both in New Zealand and overseas.

There are similar challenges in countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK and USA and NZVA has been working closely with the veterinary associations in those countries on strategies to address the problem.

Mr Wild said the previous transition year, which allowed for further industry consultation, has led to MAF developing a set of criteria that is more appropriate and has a greater chance of achieving the objectives of the scheme.

“The focus on practices being required to demonstrate they have systems in place to support a graduate’s career development is I believe an integral component of encouraging graduates to choose a long-term career in production animal practice,” he said.

ENDS

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