Veterinary specialization in small ruminant health management: Foundation of a European College of Small Ruminant Health Management [ECSRHM]

A new veterinary specialization College, named European College of Small Ruminant Health Management [ECSRHM], has been established. This new veterinary speciality refers to: (i) husbandry, internal medicine, obstetrics and reproduction, surgery, as applied to epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapy and control of diseases of small ruminants (sheep, goats); (ii) individual patients or flocks/herds; (iii) quality and safety of products from small ruminants; (iv) control of transmitting zoonoses. Veterinarians, members of the College will be entitled to use the designation of “Diplomate of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management” (“Dipl.ECSRHM”). This is the highest European specialization title in small ruminant health management; it is a superior professional veterinary qualification, with high academic standards. This paper presents the principles of the College, as well as the opportunities available for European veterinarians to train and register as members of the College and consequently as specialists in small ruminant health management.