Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE)
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2020)
Reporting Period: 2020
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Social
- Environmental
Social Achievements
- Tutored internship programme in France (80% success rate of students staying in rural farming)
- Public funding scheme in Spain, Scotland and France pays for veterinarian services in small and medium-size rural farms
- Networks to coordinate practices within the same area in Scotland contribute to better work conditions
- Romania adopted a law to support veterinarians in rural areas with monthly grants (implementation pending)
Climate Goals & Targets
Environmental Challenges
- Shortage of veterinarians in rural and remote areas across Europe (78.5% of surveyed countries experiencing shortage)
- Unfavorable working conditions (long distances, climate, long shifts)
- Difficulty achieving work-life balance
- Low demand due to farmers' inability to afford services
- Increased corporatization of the veterinary profession in urban areas
- Population outflow from rural to urban areas
- Increased workload leading to burnout and retention problems
- Neglect of preventive work impacting animal health and welfare
- Shrinking agricultural economy in remote areas
Mitigation Strategies
- Placement programmes (France)
- Financial aid (Spain, Scotland, France)
- State-employed veterinarians (Finland, Greece, Norway, Sweden)
- Networks to coordinate practices (Scotland)
- Studies to analyze the problem (Ireland)
- Support regular preventive veterinary visits (New Animal Health Law)
- Smart management of veterinary practice (sharing infrastructure, networks)
- Facilitating favorable living conditions (childcare, housing)
- Financing the supply of work equipment (telecommunication, monitoring technology)
- New Farm to Fork strategy to improve farmers' financial sustainability