U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Accreditation Program3
The USDA officially established the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) in 1921 to provide a mechanism to enable private veterinary practitioners to work on behalf of the federal government to certify animals for certain types of interstate and international movement and to assist in controlling damaging animal diseases.
The current mission of the NVAP is to provide accredited veterinarians with the information they need to ensure the health of the nation's livestock and animal population and to protect public health and well-being. NVAP's goal is to maintain the effective cooperation and use of private veterinary practitioners for regulatory work in a manner that is consistent with international trade requirements and enables the safeguarding of animal health. USDA’s APHIS administers the NVAP. Participation in NVAP is voluntary and is not mandated by the federal government. Box 47.3 provides the eligibility requirements for a veterinarian planning to become accredited by the USDA. Accredited veterinarians participating in NVAP must carry out their duties according to the Standards for Accredited Veterinarian Duties described in CFR Title 9, Part 161.4. USDA veterinary accreditation is specific to a given state, so one needs to contact the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services District Office with oversight for the state(s) where he or she is practicing to obtain accreditation in that specific state. One requirement of the USDA for accredited veterinarians is prompt reporting of all suspected foreign animal and communicable animal diseases to state or federal animal health officials. Box 47.4 lists some of the clinical signs that should alert a private veterinarian that a TAD should be considered.Accredited veterinarians are the backbone of U.S. regulatory programs for livestock and poultry diseases in the United States.
The responsibilities of an accredited veterinarian are extraordinary. In fact, the United States depends extensively on accredited veterinarians for many official functions (e.g., inspecting, testing, and certifying animals for movement). Livestock producers who move animals domestically or internationally rely on the expertise of accredited veterinarians to help ensure that animals meet the requirements of the■ BOX 47.3
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) NVAP Accreditation Eligibility Requirements
• Graduate with a doctor of veterinary medicine or equivalent degree.
• Licensed or legally able to practice veterinary medicine in the state in which accredited duties will be performed.
• Complete Initial Accreditation Training approved by Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
• Complete an orientation program approved by the USDA Assistant Director for the state in which accredited duties will be performed, and document the training.
• Submit a signed application (VS Form 1-36A).
• Complete a state-specific orientation (if required by the state).
• Wait to perform accreditation duties until APHIS provides written approval.
■ BOX 47.4
Clinical Signs or Observations That Indicate a Foreign Animal Disease Should Be Considered
• Vesicles in oral cavity or around coronary bands
• Central nervous system signs
• Mucosal diseases
• Hemorrhagic septicemias
• Larvae in wounds
• Unusual (ornate) ticks
• High morbidity or mortality
• Unusual or unexplained illness or symptoms
destination and will not introduce diseases into the receiving state or country. The NVAP has served the animal industry well for many years and remains integral to the U.S. ability to trade internationally. There are currently more than 68,000 active accredited veterinarians in the national database, and these accredited veterinarians are instrumental in providing national capability to perform competent health certifications and to maintain extensive disease surveillance and monitoring.
Today, more than 80% of all U.S. veterinarians are accredited and work cooperatively with federal and state animal health officials in NVAP.The NVAP underwent changes to its overall process following the publishing of the Final Rule in the CFR in December 2009. As of 2010, NvAP has two species-based accreditation categories. Category I includes all animals except food and fiber species, horses, birds, farm-raised aquatic animals, all other livestock species, honeybees, and zoo animals that can transmit exotic animal diseases to livestock. Category II allows veterinarians to perform accredited duties on all animals. Category I veterinarians must complete three APHIS-Approved Supplemental Training (AAST) modules every 3 years; Category II veterinarians must complete six in the same time frame. Official AAST modules are offered free online (https:// www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_aast), through presentations at state, regional, and national veterinary meetings (registration costs vary), or purchased as PDF files on a USB drive. Details about the NVAP can be found on the USDA APHIS website (http://www.aphis.usda.gov).3