French Public Health Code
In forceI. - 1° The farm health report establishes the reference health status of the farm based on qualitative and quantitative criteria. It includes a list of diseases to which the farm has already been exposed, in particular those requiring priority action. It is based on a methodical analysis of information specifically adapted to each species and, where applicable, to each type of production, including clinical, biological and necropsy data, as well as zootechnical information and an examination of the farm register. This information is collected during a visit by the veterinarian scheduled in advance with the animal keeper and carried out in the presence of the animals on the farm. The results of the veterinarian's assessment are recorded in a summary document drawn up by the veterinarian.
2° In the light of the health report for the farm, the veterinarian draws up the care protocol which defines, for the farm in question, by animal species and, where applicable, by type of production:
a) The actions to be taken by the keeper to improve the health conditions of the farm, in particular priority actions against diseases already encountered ;
b) Diseases usually encountered on the type of farm in question and for which preventive treatment, in particular vaccination, may be envisaged;
c) Diseases with which the farm has already been confronted and for which treatment can be prescribed without prior examination of the animals;
d) Actions to be taken by the keeper to implement these treatments;
e) Information to be sent by the keeper to the veterinary surgeon;
f) The health alert criteria triggering a visit by the veterinarian.
II. - Ongoing health monitoring of the farm is subject to the appointment by the owner or keeper of the animals of the veterinarian to whom he entrusts the responsibility. This veterinarian may designate veterinarians practising within the same professional administrative or practice domicile, and usually carrying out health surveillance and regularly caring for animals of the species and, where applicable, the type of production of the farm in question, in order to ensure the monitoring of this farm in the event of impediment or absence. The designation of the veterinarian to whom the health monitoring is entrusted as well as that of the veterinarians responsible for ensuring the health monitoring in case of impediment or absence of this one, after express acceptance of the owner or keeper of the animals, are recorded in the breeding register and the care protocol.
The farm health report and the care protocol are updated at least once a year, in the light in particular of the reports of visits carried out during this period and of changes in the health status of the farm in relation to the reference health status defined in the previous health report.
The health report and the care protocol are signed and dated by the veterinarian and the animal keeper. The original of the health report and care protocol are inserted in the breeding register and kept for five years. A copy of the updated report and protocol are kept at the veterinarian's administrative or practice address for the same period.
Once the care protocol has been drawn up and on the occasion of regular visits, if the keeper of the animals needs to take action that requires the use of medicines, the veterinarian will write a prescription under the conditions described in article R. 5141-111 and give it to the keeper of the animals.
During regular monitoring visits or when providing regular care, the veterinarian records in the farm register his observations on the application of the care protocol and the procedures he has carried out. If necessary, the veterinarian will modify the care protocol to take account of observations made during these visits. Regular follow-up visits may take place whenever the veterinarian visits the farm, particularly when carrying out treatments. They are the subject of a visit report drawn up by the veterinarian, which is included in the farm register.
III. - For each species and, where applicable, for each type of production, an order of the ministers responsible for agriculture and health specifies the compulsory information to be included in the farm health report and the care protocol and the conditions for carrying out this report, which must be respected with regard to the maximum cumulative number of animals, the number of farms or the maximum cumulative surface area of farms for which the animals may be subject to health surveillance and care provided by the same veterinarian as well as the frequency of regular monitoring visits.
IV. - The veterinarian carrying out health surveillance and giving regular care to animals of species whose flesh or products are intended for human consumption and to animals reared for commercial purposes may prescribe veterinary medicinal products without examining the animals, after having taken note, where appropriate, of the results of biological or necropsy analyses or additional examinations enabling the disease to be treated to be identified precisely, in the following cases :
1° Prophylactic treatments, in particular vaccinations, for the prevention of a disease identified in the care protocol;
2° The treatment of a disease to which the farm has already been confronted, which is recognised as not requiring a systematic examination of the animals and identified in the care protocol.
The same right is also granted to veterinarians practising within the same professional administrative or practice domicile, and designated in accordance with II of this article in order to ensure the replacement of the veterinarian to whom the health monitoring is entrusted.
