The Saeima¹ has adopted and the
and the President has proclaimed the following Law:

Veterinary Medicine Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1.

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) infectious animal diseases - diseases, the pathogenic agents of which (bacteria, viruses, microscopic fungi, protista, prions, ecto-parasites, endoparasites) may be directly or by the help of various factors transferred from one animal to another, or to a human being;

2) products of animal origin - unprocessed food products of animal origin, intended for human consumption (slaughter products, milk, eggs, aquaculture and fishery products, honey) and food products of animal origin (meat, milk, eggs, fishery and apiculture products), as well as technical raw materials of animal origin (hide, wool, setae, hair, feathers, down, bones, hooves etc.);

3) epizootic - an infectious animal disease characterised by affecting animals en masse and by rapid spread, causing considerable social and economic losses and restricting international trade with animals and products of animal origin;

4) practising veterinarian - a veterinarian who has obtained the right to practise veterinary medicine and is engaged in it;

5) facilities under State veterinary supervision - animal holdings, aquaculture animal farms, stations of artificial insemination of animals, embryo transplantation undertakings (companies), veterinary medical care undertakings (companies) (outpatient clinics, clinics), individual providers of veterinary services, undertakings (companies) that rear, utilise and supply animals utilised for experimental and scientific purposes, exhibitions, auctions and other places where events with the participation of animals take place, animal sanctuaries and motels, undertakings (companies) of industrially manufactured animal food and food additives, undertakings (companies) involved in the processing and disposal of waste of animal origin, undertakings (companies) that manufacture and distribute veterinary drugs, veterinary pharmaceutical products and products for animal care, undertakings (companies) involved in the circulation of products of animal origin, as well as special means of animal transportation;

6) veterinary expert-examination - testing of unprocessed food products of animal origin, also laboratory investigations in order to provide opinions regarding their further utilisation;

7) veterinary medicine - a field of science and practice that is concerned with issues related to animal health and diseases, sets veterinary requirements the fulfilment of which promotes animal health, productivity and welfare, ensures prevention and combating of infectious animal diseases, protects inhabitants from infectious diseases common to animals and humans, ensures circulation of such products of animal origin, that are qualitative and not dangerous for human health, meets the ethical and esthetical requirements of animal owners, as well as ensures environmental protection;

8) veterinary medical practice - professional activity of a practising veterinarian in the promotion of animal welfare, improvement and maintenance of health, diagnostics and prevention of animal diseases, treatment of sick animals, as well as preparation and selling of drugs in sufficient amounts for animal care;

9) aquaculture animals - live fish and other water-animals (with the exception of water mammals and amphibians) at any stage of development, fish caught in bodies of water artificially created specifically for this purpose or in natural bodies of water and other water-animals intended for further raising under controlled conditions;

10) reference laboratory - a laboratory authorised by the State, which evaluates, in case of a dispute, the results of an investigation, performs repeated investigations and provides a final opinion;

11) susceptible animal - an animal which may fall ill upon coming into contact with agents of an animal infectious disease, and

12) assistant veterinarian - a specially trained person who has the right to perform part of a veterinary expert-examination under the supervision of a veterinarian authorised by the Food and Veterinary Service, but does not have the right to provide an opinion regarding further utilisation of unprocessed food products of animal origin.

[13 December 2001]

Section 2.

The purpose of this Law is to regulate the prevention and combating of infectious animal diseases, veterinary medical practice, the circulation of products of animal origin, veterinary control of the import and transit of animal products and products of animal origin, and determine the rights and obligations of State and local government institutions, as well as of individual persons, in this field.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter II
Food and Veterinary Service

Section 3.

Observance of the requirements of this Law shall be supervised and controlled by the Food and Veterinary Service.

[13 December 2001]

Section 4.

(1) The Food and Veterinary Service shall organise and ensure, on the basis of State monitoring programmes and the requirements of regulatory enactments, unified State monitoring and control in the following areas:

1) prevention and combating of infectious animal diseases;

2) animal welfare;

3) circulation of products of animal origin in accordance with regulatory enactments;

4) circulation of waste of animal origin;

5) circulation of veterinary drugs, veterinary pharmaceutical products and chemical products for animal care;

6) circulation of animal feed and feed additives;

7) registration of animals and herds, marking of herds and relocation of animals;

8) classification of meat carcasses; and

9) other areas specified by regulatory enactments.

(2) The Food and Veterinary Service, within the scope of its competance, shall:

1) develop and approve methodological instructions with respect to the activities of supervision specified in this Law;

2) develop and approve instructions for the combating of infectious animal diseases;

3) provide laboratory services;

4) represent Latvia in international organisations and maintain international contacts in the field of veterinary medicine;

5) prepare and submit to the Ministry of Agriculture applications for the conduct of scientific research; and

6) authorise veterinarians to implement separate functions of the Food and Veterinary Service.

(3) The Food and Veterinary Service shall formulate, approve and maintain a system of registration, recording and movement of animal products and products of animal origin, as well as a system that has the function of reporting cases of animals becoming ill with infectious animal diseases.

[13 December 2001]

Section 5. [13 December 2001]

Section 6. [13 December 2001]

Section 7. [13 December 2001]

Section 8.

The food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service have the following rights, according to their competence:

1) to visit, without previous notice, facilities under State veterinary supervision, request documents and information, take samples for laboratory investigation in accordance with State monitoring programmes or, if there is suspicion that animals may have become ill with infectious animal diseases monitored by the State and suspicion or complaints regarding violations of regulatory enactments;

2) to suspend the activity of the facilities under State veterinary supervision, also suspend or prohibit organisation of animal competitions, markets, auctions, exhibitions and other events, if there is suspicion that animals may have become ill with an infectious disease, and if there is danger to human or animal health, as well as in cases when requirements of regulatory enactments have been violated;

3) in cases of violations, to impose administrative penalties upon persons in accordance with procedures set out in regulatory enactments;

4) if necessary, invite employees of the police and other law enforcement institutions, in order to ensure fulfilment of their tasks; and

5) to suspend sale of products of animal origin, if it presents a risk to human or animal health, as well as control liquidation or utilisation of the relevant products.

Section 9.

Food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service may not:

1) disclose commercial secrets that have come to their knowledge during the performance of their official duties;

2) participate, in person or through a third party, in the economic activity of the undertakings (companies) subject to control; and

3) perform veterinary medical practise, including veterinary expert-examinations the results of which must be controlled by them.

[13 December 2001]

Section 10.

(1) Food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service shall be responsible for the compliance of the orders issued, decisions taken and actions performed, with the requirements of regulatory enactments.

(2) Orders and decisions of food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service may be revoked by a veterinary inspector of a higher rank. Orders and decisions of the State chief food and veterinary inspector may be appealed to a court.

(3) Appeal of orders and decisions of food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service shall not suspend their fulfilment, except for decisions on the imposition of administrative penalties in cases determined by the Administrative Violations Code of Latvia.

Section 11.

The State Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Centre shall:

1) perform reference laboratory functions regarding laboratory diagnostics of infectious animal diseases and laboratory control of residues:

a) in the case of a dispute, assess the results of the laboratory investigation, perform repeat investigations and provide a final opinion;

b) participate in inter-laboratory testing programmes organised by international organisations,

c) submit proposals to the Food and Veterinary Service regarding laboratory diagnostics of infectious animal diseases, and implement internationally recognised diagnostic methods, and

d) organise investigation of diagnostic samples in foreign laboratories in cases when it cannot be performed in Latvia;

2) perform reference functions in other kinds of laboratory investigation in accordance with the authorisation of the Cabinet;

3) ensure laboratory investigation provided for in the residue control programme;

4) perform, on request, laboratory investigation in the diagnostics of animal diseases in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Cabinet, as well as perform laboratory investigations related to the environment and the circulation of veterinary drugs, pharmaceutical products, animal feed, feed additives and food; and

5) organise inter-laboratory comparative testing in the self-control laboratories of the undertakings (companies) supervised by the Food and Veterinary Service.

[13 December 2001]

Section 12.

Procedures, by which payments for the activities of State supervision and control specified by this Law shall be made, and the types of paid services provided by the Food and Veterinary Service shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 December 2001]

Section 13.

Fines for administrative violations, collected by food and veterinary inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Service, as well as funds acquired from the sale of confiscated property, goods or other objects in accordance with procedures prescribed by law, shall be paid into the State budget.

Section 14.

The Food and Veterinary Service shall be independent in its professional activity and liable in accordance with law.

Chapter III
Infectious Animal Diseases and Their Prevention

Section 15.

(1) The Cabinet shall determine the list of such infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, also epizootic diseases, the prevention and combating of which is compulsory and the prevention and combating of which is organised by the State.

(2) The prevention and combating of such infectious animal diseases which are not monitored by the State shall be performed by the animal owner together with a practising veterinarian.

[13 December 2001]

Section 16.

In order to ensure prevention and combating of the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State and to prepare an epizootic liquidation strategy, the Food and Veterinary Service shall:

1) determine the necessary information for the analysis of the epizootic situation regarding the epizootic situation in the State and abroad, in the current year and in previous years;

2) develop, approve and maintain a system of registration, recording, analysis and notification of infectious animal diseases;

3) analyse information and formulate systems of possible risks;

4) formulate a monitoring programme for the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State;

5) formulate and approve the strategy and plans of action for combating the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State;

6) co-operate with competent institutions of the Ministry of Welfare in order to exchange information regarding such infectious diseases as to which both animals and humans are susceptible, and to formulate and implement prevention and combating programmes of such diseases; and

7) in co-operation with the State Forestry Service, formulate proposals regarding regulations for the hunting of wild animals in an epizootic situation.

[13 December 2001]

Section 17.

(1) The Cabinet shall approve, on annual basis, the monitoring programme for the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, and shall include the resources allocated for it in the State budget.

(2) The Food and Veterinary Service shall calculate, in accordance with the monitoring programme for the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, the amount of the necessary veterinary biological preparations and disinfectants, and order them in accordance with the procedures set out in regulatory enactments.

(3) Veterinary biological preparations and disinfectants for prevention of such infectious animal diseases which are not monitored by the State shall be obtained by practising veterinarians in veterinary pharmaceutical undertakings (companies).

Section 18.

For the implementation of the monitoring programme for the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service shall authorise, by means of competition, practising veterinarians. Competition regulations and the sample form of an authorisation contract shall be approved by the Director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

Section 19.

The procedures and methods for the diagnostics of infectious animal diseases shall be determined by the Director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

Section 20.

(1) Animal competitions, markets, auctions, exhibitions, and other events with the participation of animals may be organised only with a permit from the State senior veterinary inspector of the relevant territory, and in the case of international events, only with a permit from the State chief food and veterinary inspector.

(2) The Cabinet shall set out the procedures regarding the organisation of animal competitions, markets, auctions, exhibitions, and other events with the participation of animals, as well as determine the veterinary accompanying documents necessary for the movement of animals.

(3) In order to move animals into and out of the State, a veterinary (health) certificate approved by the Food and Veterinary Service shall be required.

(4) The accompanying veterinary documents necessary for the transportation of animals shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(5) If in the exporting state infectious animal diseases have been determined and there is a threat that such diseases may spread in Latvia, the State chief food and veterinary inspector, observing the norms of the international trade, is entitled to determine restrictions or prohibitions for the importation of animals, food, animal feed and other objects and materials into Latvia, as well as to prohibit their transit.

[13 December 2001]

Section 21.

Local governments shall ensure:

1) the registration of dogs and cats in accordance with the procedures set out by the Cabinet;

2) the catching of stray dogs and cats and, if necessary, their euthanasia;

3) the establishment of dog and cat sanctuaries in accordance with the procedures set out by the Cabinet; and

4) the removal of the dead bodies of domestic animals in accordance with the procedures set out by the Cabinet.

Section 22.

If there is a risk that wild animals can transmit infectious animal diseases to other animals, the State Forestry Service, taking into account the recommendations made by the State chief food and veterinary inspector, shall organise, in co-operation with the owner or user of the forest or land, the shooting of wild animals.

[13 December 2001]

Section 23.

It is an obligation of each person to report to the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding unburied bodies of wild animals. In such cases the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service shall act in accordance with the methodological instructions approved by the Director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

Section 24.

Regarding diseases developed during the transportation of animals, the responsible person shall notify, in accordance with the requirements of regulatory enactments, the State senior veterinary inspector of the relevant territory, who shall organise, if necessary, together with the administration of the railway, port or airport or with the State Traffic Police, the quarantining of the animals.

[13 December 2001]

Section 25.

The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the veterinary requirements with respect to the circulation of animals, animal semen, ova, embryos and products of animal origin;

2) the procedures regarding processing and destruction of waste products of animal origin;

3) the procedures regarding arrangement and maintenance of animal cemeteries; and

4) the procedures regarding prevention and combating of such infectious diseases as to which both animals and humans are susceptible.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter IV
Liquidation and Prevention of Danger of Epizootic Outbreaks

Section 26.

(1) Liquidation and prevention of danger of epizootic outbreaks shall be performed in accordance with the Cabinet regulations which provide for measures for combating of epizootic outbreaks, the planning of such measures, the competence of persons and institutions, restrictions on the movement of persons and animals, regulations regarding the notification and fulfilment of orders, handling of products of animal origin and dead animal bodies, material and technical facilities, procedures for disinfecting and cleaning of means of transportation, as well as procedures for determining and cancelling of a quarantine.

(2) In accordance with the Cabinet regulations referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the Food and Veterinary Service shall prepare and approve a plan of action for each case of an epizootic outbreak.

[13 December 2001]

Section 27.

(1) In the case of an epizootic outbreak in Latvia or in its neighbouring states, the State chief food and veterinary inspector shall immediately determine a quarantine and the Prime Minister shall proclaim a state of emergency in the State or a part thereof in accordance with the Civil Defence Law.

(2) In the case of an epizootic outbreak in Latvia or in its neighbouring states, the State chief food and veterinary inspector shall determine, after co-ordination with the State Forest Service, quarantine measures with respect to the hunting of wild animals.

(3) Under the circumstances of a quarantine, the hunting of wild animals may be arranged only in accordance with the procedures set out by the Cabinet.

[13 December 2001]

Section 28.

A quarantine shall include:

1) the area affected by the epizootic outbreak (the place where the animal, or the herd, affected by the infectious animal disease, is located);

2) the protection area (not less than within a radius of three kilometres around the area affected by the epizootic outbreak); and

3) the supervision zone (not less than within a radius of 10 kilometres around the area affected by the epizootic outbreak).

Section 29.

In the case of a danger of the further spreading of an epizootic outbreak, the State chief food and veterinary inspector shall determine a territory to be controlled around the supervision zone, in which compulsory vaccination of animals shall be performed.

[13 December 2001]

Section 30.

If there is a danger of the further spreading of the epizootic, the State chief food and veterinary inspector is entitled to determine, in addition to the activities determined in the plan of action, the immediate performance of the following:

1) with respect to animals:

a) special procedures for registration or identification,

b) compulsory treatment or vaccination, drugs and methods to be used,

c) compulsory diagnostic examinations and taking of laboratory samples,

d) isolation,

e) procedures and time periods for intensified observation; and

f) liquidation, and methods and locations for disposal of animal refuse.

2) with regard to products of animal origin, animal feed, animal excretions, litter and other products and materials that may contain pathologic agents:

a) taking of samples for laboratory examination,

b) their pasteurisation, sterilisation, utilisation or destruction, and

c) their disinfection and riddance of parasitic worms;

3) with regard to premises in which people and animals are staying who have been in contact with infected or possibly infected animals, as well as to the equipment - cleaning, washing, disinfecting, deratization and disinsectization; and

4) intensified monitoring and observation of animals.

Section 31.

In case of a danger of the further spreading of an epizootic outbreak in Latvia or in its neighbouring states, the Cabinet shall order the State Border Guard to temporarily restrict or suspend traffic across the State border.

Section 32.

(1) The Prime Minister, upon the proposal of the State chief food and veterinary inspector, shall revoke the state of emergency in the State or a part thereof.

(2) The State chief food and veterinary inspector shall revoke the quarantine.

[13 December 2001]

Section 33.

Funds for the liquidation of an epizootic outbreak and its consequences, and for the compensation of losses to the animal owners and the owners of products of animal origin shall be allocated from the funds provided for this purpose in the State budget in accordance with specially prepared programmes - the programme for liquidation of an outbreak of infectious animal diseases or its threat, and the programme for compensation of losses caused by infectious animal diseases. Financing of the referred to programmes in the State Budget Law for the current year is provided for as State long-term obligations.

Section 34.

The funds provided for liquidation of an epizootic outbreak shall be used by institutions of the Food and Veterinary Service for the following:

1) purchase of biological preparations and disinfectant materials;

2) purchase of veterinary instruments and other materials;

3) payments to veterinarians; and

4) covering of travelling expenses.

Section 35.

(1) In cases of epizootic outbreaks, an animal owner who has fulfilled the regulating requirements in the relevant Cabinate regulations has the right to receive compensation in accordance with Section 33 of this Law for the following:

1) the animals slaughtered and destroyed on a compulsory basis;

2) the destroyed carcasses and products of animal origin;

3) the destroyed animal feed and equipment;

4) the losses caused by the disinfecting of animal holdings;

5) the losses caused by restrictions on economic activity and due to the prohibition to sell products; and

6) for the expenses of the compulsory vaccination of animals.

(2) Procedures by which compensation shall be granted and received in the case of an epizootic outbreak shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter V
Combating of Infectious Animal Diseases (except epizootic) Monitored by the State

Section 36.

Infectious animal diseases (except epizootic) monitored by the State shall be combated by animal owners together with the officials of the Food and Veterinary Service and practising veterinarians in accordance with Cabinet Regulations and instructions, regarding combating of infectious animal diseases, approved by the Minister for Agriculture.

Section 37.

(1) Expenses related to combating of infectious animal diseases referred to in Section 36 of this Law shall be covered by the animal owner or reimbursed from the State budget funds provided for by the programme for liquidation of an outbreak of infectious animal diseases or its threat.

(2) Procedures by which the funds from the State budget referred to in Paragraph one of this Section are allocated and received, shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 38.

(1) For combating of infectious animal diseases monitored by the State (except epizootic), if all the measures are taken, which are provided for in the instructions for combating of infectious animal diseases, an animal owner may receive compensation for losses according to the State budget funds provided for in the programme for compensation of losses caused by infectious animal diseases in the amount of up to 50 per cent of the average value of the slaughter products.

(2) The procedures by which compensation is granted and received for combating of infectious animal diseases monitored by the State (except epizootic and other infectious animal diseases specified by the Cabinet) shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 December 2001]

Section 39.

(1) Associations of animal keepers and associations of manufacturers and processors of products of animal origin have the right to prepare programmes for combating infectious animal diseases (which are not monitored by the State).

(2) The programmes prepared by associations of animal keepers and associations of manufacturers and processors of products of animal origin shall be co-ordinated with the director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

Chapter VI
Supervision of Circulation of Products of Animal Origin

Section 40.

(1) Food undertakings that are involved in the circulation of products of animal origin shall be evaluated and recognised in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Law on the Supervision of the Handling of Food. Undertakings (companies) which are involved in the processing and disposal of the waste of animal origin shall be evaluated by the Food and Veterinary Service and recognised in accordance with the procedures specified by regulatory enactments.

(2) The supervision shall include:

1) inspection of undertakings (companies) in accordance with a programme of supervision of products of animal origin, approved by the Minister for Agriculture;

2) control, if products of animal origin are suspected of failure to comply with the compulsory harmlessness and quality requirements, or if complaints from consumers have been received; and

3) fulfilment of the residue control programme.

(3) The State supervision of products of animal origin shall be financed from the State budget.

[13 December 2001]

Section 41.

(1) The accompanying veterinary documents necessary for the circulation of products of animal origin shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) For importation into and exportation out of the State of products of animal origin, a veterinary (health) certificate approved by the Food and Veterinary Service shall be required.

(3) The Food and Veterinary Service shall prepare and maintain the lists of such states, administrative territories and undertakings from which it is permitted to import products of animal origin into the territory of the State.

Section 42.

In regard to the field of State supervision of the circulation of products of animal origin, the Cabinet shall determine:

1) the veterinary and sanitary requirements in slaughterhouses;

2) the procedures by which the first treatment of wild animals and their preparation for distribution shall be performed;

3) [13 December 2001];

4) the veterinary and sanitary requirements regarding fishing vessels, fishing refrigerator vessels, fishing factory vessels and fishing boats;

5) the procedures for the performance of a veterinary expert-examination, and the working conditions necessary for the performance of veterinary expert-examinations;

6) restrictions on the sale of unprocessed food products of animal origin and home-made food products of animal origin;

7) procedures for residue control and its financing; and

(8) procedures for importation into and exportation out of the State and transit movement of products of animal origin.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter VII
Distribution of Unprocessed Food Products of Animal Origin and Veterinary Expert-Examination

Section 43.

(1) The Food and Veterinary Service shall organise the ante-mortem inspection and the post-mortem veterinary expert-examination (hereinafter - veterinary expert-examination) of animals.

(2) A veterinary expert-examination shall be performed in accordance with methodological instructions approved by the Director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

Section 44.

Slaughter products, game, chilled and frozen fishery products, shall be distributed only after a veterinary expert-examination performed by a veterinarian authorised by the Food and Veterinary Service, and in compliance with his or her opinion regarding further utilisation of the products (fit for human consumption without restrictions or under certain conditions, fit for other kinds of utilisation or to be disposed of).

Section 45.

A veterinarian authorised by the Food and Veterinary Service shall confirm the opinion by stamping the slaughter product or the game with a stamp which contains the slaughterhouse confirmation number.

Section 46.

(1) The owner of a slaughterhouse shall enter into a contract with the manager of the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding the performance of a veterinary expert examination, and shall ensure the necessary working conditions for its performance.

(2) The holder of a fishing vessel, a fishing refrigerator vessel, or a fishing factory vessel shall enter into a contract with the manager of the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding the performance of a veterinary expert-examination after the unloading of the fishery products on the shore or prior to selling, and shall ensure the necessary working conditions for the performance of an expert-examination.

(3) Users of hunting rights shall enter into a contract with the manager of the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service on the performance of veterinary expert-examination of game meat.

[13 December 2001]

Section 47.

(1) For the performance of a veterinary expert-examination, the Food and Veterinary Service shall authorise, by means of competition, persons who have the professional qualifications of a veterinarian and who have acquired, in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet, a certificate attesting to the right to perform a veterinary expert-examination. Competition regulations and the form of the authorisation contract shall be approved by the director of the Food and Veterinary Service.

(2) The veterinarian may have assistants who have acquired a certificate in accordance with the procedures determined by the Minister for Agriculture.

(3) The veterinarian shall be responsible for the work of the assistant veterinarian.

Section 48.

Unprocessed food products of animal origin (eggs, honey, milk) and home-made food products of animal origin shall be distributed only in such markets which are evaluated and recognised in accordance with the procedures specified in the Law on the Supervision of the Handling of Food.

[13 December 2001]

Section 49.

Unprocessed food products of animal origin (eggs, honey, milk) and home-made food products of animal origin may be sold in markets only after a veterinary expert-examination has been performed at the market by a veterinarian authorised by the Food and Veterinary Service and only in compliance with his or her opinion regarding further utilisation of the products.

Section 50.

The administration of a market shall enter into a contract with the manager of the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding the performance of a veterinary-expert examination and shall ensure the necessary working conditions for its performance.

[13 December 2001]

Section 51.

The person who orders a veterinary expert-examination shall pay for the performance of the veterinary expert-examination in accordance with the procedures specified by the Cabinet.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter VIII
Veterinary Control on the State Border and in Customs Warehouses

Section 52.

Veterinary control on the State border, in free zones, free warehouses and customs warehouses shall be performed by the Sanitary Border Inspection.

[13 December 2001]

Section 53.

The Cabinet shall determine:

1) import and transit freights subject to veterinary control;

2) border control points through which the freights subject to veterinary control may be transported;

3) requirements for the arrangement of the border control points in which veterinary control are performed, and the procedures for their recognition;

4) procedures by which veterinary control are performed on the State border, in free zones, free warehouses and customs warehouses;

5) procedures regarding the payment for veterinary control; and

7) procedures regarding issuance and presentation of the veterinary control certificates of the freights crossing the border.

[13 December 2001]

Chapter IX
Rights of Veterinary Medical Practice

Section 54.

(1) Natural persons who have acquired the rights of veterinary medical practice shall be permitted to engage in veterinary medical practice in Latvia.

(2) The rights of veterinary medical practice may be acquired by a person who is:

1) a citizen of Latvia, or a person who has a non-citizen passport of the Republic of Latvia, and who has acquired the higher veterinary medical education in compliance with State-accredited study programmes; and

2) an alien whose qualifications as a veterinarian have been recognised in accordance with procedures determined by regulatory enactments;

(3) Veterinarian qualifications acquired abroad by a citizen of Latvia, or by a person who has a non-citizen passport of the Republic of Latvia, shall be recognised in accordance with the procedures set out in regulatory enactments.

4) The rights of veterinary medical practice shall be confirmed by a certificate which is issued and annulled by the Latvian Association of Veterinarians in accordance with procedures specified by the Cabinet.

(5) Persons who have acquired the rights of veterinary medical practice may undertake veterinary medical practice throughout the whole territory of Latvia.

Chapter X
Rights and Obligations of a Practising Veterinarian

Section 55.

A practising veterinarian has the following rights:

1) to enter into a contract with the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding the taking of measures specified in the preventive monitoring programme for infectious animal diseases, providing for payment in accordance with the procedures determined by the Cabinet;

2) on a competitive basis, to enter into a contract with the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service regarding the performance of a veterinary-expert examination, and to receive the payment at the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service;

3) upon agreement with the animal owner or the employer, to receive remuneration or salary for the veterinary medical care for the animal;

4) to sell such drugs to the animal owner as are necessary for the treatment course of the animal;

5) to write a prescription to the animal owner for the purchase of drugs and veterinary medical products in pharmacies;

6) to purchase drugs and veterinary medical products in pharmaceutical undertakings (companies) for the purposes of veterinary medical practice;

to refuse to perform veterinary medical practice, if the work to be performed does not comply with the professional qualifications of a veterinarian, is contrary to this Law, to other regulatory enactments regarding veterinary medicine or to the ethics of veterinary work, as well as in cases when the animal owner does not follow the instructions of the veterinarian or does not ensure safe working conditions for the health and life of the veterinarian; and

8) to supervise hunting of wild animals under the conditions of quarantine.

Section 56.

A practising veterinarian has the following obligations:

1) to notify the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service of the commencement of veterinary medical practice;

2) to provide emergency medical assistance to animals regarding which a contract has been entered into with the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service on preventive monitoring of infectious diseases;

3) to immediately notify the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service of the outbreaks of infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, or suspicion thereof, and to act in accordance with the instructions for combating infectious animal diseases, approved by the Minister for Agriculture, until further instructions from the State senior veterinary inspector;

4) to participate, upon the request of the manager of the relevant territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service, in the combating of epizootic diseases monitored by the State, and to receive remuneration for it;

5) to notify, in writing, the animal owner regarding restrictions on utilisation of animal products, as well as products of animal origin, after medical treatment of such animals;

6) to keep records of veterinary activities and to submit reports specified by the Food and Veterinary Service;

7) to observe the standards and professional code of ethics of veterinary medical practice; and

8) to raise professional qualifications.

[13 December 2001]

Section 57.

Only State-permitted drugs and veterinary pharmaceutical products may be used in veterinary medical practice.

Chapter XI
Rights and Obligations of Animal Owners

Section 58.

Animal owners shall have the right:

1) to receive veterinary medical care for the animal;

2) to receive an opinion regarding the state of health of the animal or the cause of its death; and

3) to request a written confirmation from the practising veterinarian regarding the veterinary medical procedures performed with the animal, and their results.

Section 59.

Animal owners shall have the following obligations:

1) to organise, in co-operation with practising veterinarians, prevention and combating of infectious animal diseases, except prevention and combating of the infectious animal diseases monitored by the State;

2) to ensure conditions necessary for animal welfare, timely veterinary medical care for the sick animals, as well as adequate working conditions for the practising veterinarian and fixation of animals during the veterinary medical procedures;

3) during transportation of animals, to comply with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet;

4) to present, and hand over to the subsequent owner or possessor of the animal, the documents regarding the state of health of the animal and the preventive measures taken with respect to infectious animal diseases (for example, vaccination certificate, veterinary certificate);

5) to ensure registering and marking of the animals in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Cabinet;

6) to restrict the contact of outsiders with the animals;

7) to ensure the implementation of measures for prevention of infectious animal diseases monitored by the State within the specified time periods;

8) to immediately notify the practising veterinarian of a sudden death of an animal, or simultaneous diseases of several animals, or any incident that gives rise to suspicion that an animal has developed an infectious disease;

9) to have sale animals slaughtered in slaughterhouses in accordance with the procedures determined by the Cabinet;

10) to ensure the removal of dead animal bodies in accordance with the procedures determined by the Cabinet;

11) in cases of combating infectious animal diseases monitored by the State, to do the following upon the request of the State food and veterinary inspector or a practising veterinarian:

a) to show all the animals, as well as the animal lodgings and the veterinary documentation (diagnostic examinations and vaccination documents, lists of diagnostically examined and vaccinated animals, results of laboratory examinations),

b) to subject animals to diagnosing of infectious diseases, treatment and preventive measures,

c) to ensure disinfecting of animal lodgings and equipment, and

d) to ensure quarantining, treatment and liquidation of animals; and

12) to comply with the restrictions regarding utilisation of animal products and products of animal origin after medical treatment of animals, if such are provided for in approved instructions for use or determined by a practising veterinarian.

Section 60.

In case of disposal of an animal, the animal owner may submit claims against the disposer regarding the state of health of the animal within 30 days from the day of disposal, upon the condition that preventive measures related to infectious animal diseases monitored by the State have been taken with respect to such animal.

Transitional Provisions

1. Licences for veterinary medical practice, that have been issued prior to the coming into force of this Law, shall remain effective until the expiry date indicated in the licence.

2. Veterinary paramedics who have acquired specialised secondary education up to 1992 and obtained a licence for veterinary medical practice, may perform, after the acquisition of rights for veterinary medical practice and upon a recommedation of the director of the Food and Veterinary Service, the functions of a practising veterinarian in territories where the number of practising veterinarians is not sufficient.

3. [13 December 2001]

4. Up to 1 January 2003, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in this Law.

5. Prior to the adoption of the relevant Cabinet Regulations, the following Cabinet Regulations shall be in force, insofar as they do not conflict with this Law:

1) Regulation No.109 of 27 March 1997, Regulations Regarding Slaughter of Animals;

2) Regulation No.143 of 21 April 1998, Veterinary Regulations Regarding Slaughter of Animals and Acquisition of Slaughter Products in Low Capacity Slaughterhouses;

3) Regulation No. 251 of 14 July of 1998, On the Registration of Aquaculture Animal Farms, Certification of River Basin Zones, Control of Infectious Aquaculture Animal Diseases on Farms and in River Basin Zones, and Requirements Applicable to the Placing of Aquaculture Animals on the Market;

4) Regulation No. 320 of 25 August 1998, Procedures for Importation of Milk and Milk-Based Products into Latvia;

5) Regulation No.323 of 25 August 1998, Register of Infectious Animal Diseases;

6) Regulation No. 329 of 31 August 1998, Veterinary Regulations Regarding Slaughter of Animals and Acquisition of Slaughter Products in High Capacity Slaughterhouses"; and

7) Regulation No. 174 of 11 May 1999, Procedures Regarding Importation of Meat into Latvia.

6. With the coming into force of this Law, the Law On Veterinary Medicine (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, No. 29/31, 1992; Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1994, No. 4; 1995, No. 3; 1996, No. 24; 1997, No. 16) is repealed.

7. Section 3, Paragraph three of this Law, with respect to the Sanitary Border Inspection, and Section 52 shall come into force on 1 January 2002.

8. Prior to the adoption of the Cabinet Regulations referred to in Section 54, Paragraph four of this Law, the Latvian Association of Veterinarians shall issue and annul licences for veterinary medical practice.

9. The Food and Veterinary Service shall assume the rights and obligations of the State Veterinary Service.

10. Section 52 and Section 53, Clause 4 of this Law with respect to the State supervision and control in free warehouses comes into force on 1 July 2002.

[13 December 2001]

This Law shall come into force on 1 July 2001.

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 26 April, 2001.

On behalf of the President,
Chairman of the Saeima J.Straume

Riga, 16 May 2001

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2002 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)