The forces that led to the formation of ESLAV (European Society for Laboratory Animal Veterinarians) and lead our way at present, are the requirements of the public as well as organizations to be able to address veterinary specialists in the field of humane care and use of laboratory animals, and the requirement of these experts to discuss common subjects, to pool their resources to provide specialized service functions and professional expertise, and to be represented at a European level when decisions are made regarding laboratory animal use and welfare.

It is clear that much work lies ahead of us. Yet the request for expert veterinary participation in reaching decisions concerning laboratory animal medicine and welfare at different European and national levels is most encouraging.

In it's 11 years of activity, ESLAV has proved itself to be a leading voice in European Laboratory Animal Medicine. The Governing Board of ESLAV looks forward to the participation of interested individuals in making this Society the organized source of expertise it should be.

Brief History

The European Society of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians (ESLAV) was created at the 6th FELASA Symposium held in June 1996 in Basel, Switzerland. David Whittaker from Zeneca Pharmaceuticals in the UK called this initial meeting. About 100 veterinarians from different European countries and worldwide were present. The Society is registered as a non-profit organization in France.

 

Objectives

The objectives of the Society are to promote and disseminate expert veterinary knowledge within the field of laboratory animal science.
The objectives are achieved through:

 

Meetings, lectures, discussions, and publications:

• Annual scientific meetings are organized in conjunction with European associations around Europe

• Semi-annual production of Briefing – the Society’s magazine

 

 

The advancement of veterinary knowledge and skills in subjects connected with the breeding, health, welfare and use of laboratory animals:

• The society gives veterinarians a forum to discuss issues which concern us, in the field of laboratory animal science, in general and in Europe specifically. Veterinarians who work full time or part time, as consultants in this field need to keep themselves updated with regards to e.g. changing and evolving laws and regulations in Europe and in individual nations as well as world wide.

• Active encouragement of its Members to provide training for veterinarians practicing or wishing to practice in the field of laboratory animals, both at the under- and postgraduate level

 

 

Collaboration and exchange of information with other Societies and allied scientific disciplines:

• ESLAV and LAVA being the representative bodies for Veterinarians engaged in the use, care and medicine of animals used in research in the UK and Europe are continuously in the process of building closer links.

• ESLAV sets the right environment and support for the activity of the European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. This College is needed to structure the additional training leading to specialization and to certify its members, and to provide assistance in ESLAV's professional continuing education activities. In other words, the College represents the academic component in our field of laboratory animal medicine.

 

 

Representation of the veterinary "voice" at regulatory and governmental bodies:

• Beyond the internal forum, ESLAV is the only European entity representing the veterinary profession specifically in the laboratory animal medicine field at the European decision making bodies. The need for veterinarians to participate in the running of laboratory animal facilities and ethics committees (or equivalent) is not systematically addressed (Is this still valid?). European regulations should ensure veterinary oversight of animal care and use programmes.

 

Organization

The official language of the Society is English.

Governing Board (GB):

The Governing Board consists of the President, the President Elect or the Past President, the Secretary, the Treasurer and at least 4 (four) Ordinary Members. Guests with observer status from other Societies (LAVA) or allied disciplines (ECLAM) are invited.
The Governing Board establishes, determines the powers and mode of conduct of business of, regulates and dissolves Committees, Scientific Sections, and its Representatives to other bodies. It meets 3-4 times per year.

Membership:

Membership to the Society is open to veterinarians regardless of nationality. The different categories of members are ordinary members, honorary members, student members.  Membership is renewed automatically on an annual basis. Cancellations have to come in writing to the Secretary or Treasurer.

Annual General Meetings:

General Meetings take place once a year following notification issued by the President or the Secretary by email and/or direct mailing and by posting it on the Societies web site. They are usually held during the annual scientific meeting.

National Representatives:

ESLAV aims to serve its membership best by appointing a representative in each country. This official’s main tasks are to reach out to the members and possible candidate members among the veterinarians professionally involved with laboratory animal medicine and/or laboratory animal science. Representatives act as ambassadors for ESLAV to make the society better known with other national professional and scientific organisations.

National Representatives Coordinator:

The ESLAV National Representatives coordinator organises and coordinates the actions of the ESLAV national representatives. He/she is invited by the ESLAV Governing Board to join Governing Board Meeting. He/she is responsible for the proper activities of the ESLAV National Representatives by means of the correct application of the ESLAV National Representatives Guidelines.

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