Public Consultation on a new Legal Notice to regulate, register and license professions and trades supplementary to the Veterinary Profession.
Background:
Through this new Legal Notice, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights will be regulating the professions and trades supplementary to the veterinary profession, mainly the following:
Listed Veterinary Nurse
Registered Veterinary Nurse
Veterinary Auxiliary
Veterinary Technician
Veterinary Technologist
Groomer
Farrier
Fish Expert
Animal Trainers
Although most service providers in this area are dedicated individuals who have their profession and trade at heart and who work with diligence for the best interest of animal welfare and with full respect to their clients, some individuals might need a bit more guidance to achieve the high standards that are now expected of these trades and professions.
The Veterinary Surgeons’ Council has the powers and duty at Laws to register and regulate professions and trades supplementary to the veterinary profession.
The electoral manifesto also makes reference to better regulation of certain professions that have a direct impact on Animal Welfare.
This legal notice sets the framework in order for the establishment and enforcement of standards through the registration and licencing of professions and trades supplementary to the veterinary profession. Individuals who want to obtain a licence to practice any of the professions or trades found in the first schedule must follow all the requirements set for that particular profession or trade and must prove that they possess the required minimum qualifications or years of experience to do so in a professional manner.
The draft Legal Notice can be accessed through the following link:
Consultation Method:
Comments to the proposed draft Legal Notice attached or queries for explanations are to be submitted only on konsultazzjoni.gov.mt
The consultation period will be of 5 weeks. On Wednesday 02nd July 2025 an in-person briefing session explaining the details of the particular professions and trades will also be held. Anybody wishing to attend in person must register their interest on vsc@gov.mt by not later than Monday 23rd June 2025.
