(1)

The harmonised minimum training requirements for the profession of veterinary surgeon are set out in Article 38 of Directive 2005/36/EC as well as in point 5.4.1 of Annex V to that Directive.

(2)

In its 2011 Green Paper on the modernisation of Directive 2005/36/EC (2), the Commission acknowledged the need to modernise the harmonised minimum training requirements in phases.

(3)

In the context of the amendment of Directive 2005/36/EC through Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), national authorities, academic institutions and professional organisations indicated that the professions covered by Title III, Chapter III of the Directive have evolved significantly since their respective minimum training requirements were harmonised.

(4)

While Directive 2013/55/EU reviewed to a certain extent the knowledge and skills for the profession of veterinary surgeon as set out in Article 38(3) of Directive 2005/36/EC, no substantial changes were made to the study programme subjects listed in point 5.4.1 of Annex V to Directive 2005/36/EC.

(5)

Article 21(6) of Directive 2005/36/EC, as amended, provides the Commission with delegated powers to introduce, in accordance with its Article 57c of Directive 2005/36/EC, updates to the minimum training requirements in order to adapt them to generally acknowledged scientific and technical progress to reflect the evolution of EU law directly affecting the professionals concerned.

(6)

The Commission has assessed whether the minimum training requirements for the profession of veterinary surgeon, as set out in Directive 2005/36/EC, should be updated in light of generally acknowledged scientific and technical progress.

(7)

A study was carried out to assist the Commission in its assessment. The aim of the study was to explore the developments in training requirements for the profession of veterinary surgeon in Member States and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) States. For that purpose, data was collected at EU and national level through desk research and targeted stakeholder consultations. The data collection focused on developments in training requirements at national level: (i) scientific and technical advancements affecting the profession of veterinary surgeon; (ii) training programmes and knowledge and skills that go beyond the minimum training requirements laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC and that reflect any adaptation to scientific and technical advancements.

(8)

A comparative assessment of the data collected was carried out during the study. It focused on developments in and commonalities between training requirements across all Member States and EFTA States in light of generally acknowledged scientific and technical progress. For that purpose, a working definition of ‘generally acknowledged’ scientific and technical progress was developed, consisting of scientific and technical advancements that have been observed in at least 16 Member States and EFTA States.

(9)

The results of the study were presented to stakeholders during a workshop and at the meeting of the group of coordinators for the recognition of professional qualifications. Based on the feedback received, the conclusions of the study were drafted, suggesting updates to the minimum training requirements set out in Directive 2005/36/EC in respect of training programmes as well as knowledge and skills.

(10)

The study (4) identified the following generally acknowledged scientific and technical advancements in training programmes in Member States and EFTA States that were not represented or not sufficiently represented in the minimum training requirements set out in Directive 2005/36/EC: the One Health concept; sustainability and transdisciplinarity; interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinary and soft skills; treatments and therapies; animal health and welfare; public health: hygiene and food safety; biology, digitalisation and digital data, as well as diagnostic and laboratory tools and techniques.

(11)

In accordance with the Joint Political Declaration of 28 September 2011 of the Member States and the Commission on explanatory documents (5), Member States have undertaken to accompany, in justified cases, the notification of their transposition measures with one or more documents to explain the relationship between the components of a directive and the corresponding parts of national transposition instruments. With regard to this Directive, the legislator considers the transmission of such documents to be justified.

(12)

Directive 2005/36/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in Article 38, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

(2)

Annex V is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Directive.