Information about the Swedish Veterinary Association

SVF works to safeguard the social, economic, professional and veterinary medical interests of its members while promoting and strengthening the veterinary profession and its future role in society.

Within the association there are three councils: the Veterinary Medical Council, the Trade Union Council and the Entrepreneurs’ Council, each working within its respective area. The General Assembly (Fullmäktige), held every second year, is the association’s highest decision-making body. Between General Assemblies, the Executive Board is responsible for the overall direction of the organisation. The day-to-day work is carried out by the SVF office, led by the Director General, who is responsible for implementing the Board’s decisions.

Membership in a trade union provides support and security throughout your working life. It also contributes to the development of fair employment conditions, salary processes and collective agreements. Solidarity is a cornerstone of the trade union movement, where members work together to strengthen the profession and improve working conditions.

The Executive Board

Henrik Rönnberg, President
Helena Torkelsson, Vice President
Markus Abrahamsén, Chair, Committee for Veterinary Employment Issues
Katarina Kjeller, Chair, Committee for Veterinary Business Issues
Lena-Mari Tamminen, Chair, Committee for Veterinary Medicine
Shwan Kareem
Kristian Arkela

Committees

Professional matters relating to veterinary medicine are handled by the Committee for Veterinary Medicine, while employment and business-related issues are managed by the Committee for Veterinary Employment Issues and the Committee for Veterinary Business Issues.

The Committee for Veterinary Medicine includes five sections: Horses, Animals in Research, Production Animals, Small Animals and Veterinary Public Health. Their work includes planning the scientific programme for the regulary held Veterinary Congress, initiating projects in important professional areas and managing the national veterinary specialisation programmes.

Many projects result in guidelines that support veterinarians in their daily work. Guidelines for the clinical use of antibiotics in livestock and horses are available, as well as the general policy on the prudent use of antibiotics - LINK.

The regulations governing veterinary specialisation are currently under review. Specialist programmes are available in Diseases in Dogs and Cats, Diseases in Horses, Diseases in Cattle, Diseases in Pigs, Diseases of Small Ruminants and Veterinary Public Health.

Members

The majority of Swedish veterinarians are members of the Swedish Veterinary Association, as are many veterinary students at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.

Veterinarians in Sweden work in a wide range of fields. Many work in clinical practice with production animals, horses and companion animals. Some are employed as district veterinarians by the Swedish Board of Agriculture, while others work in private practice. A large number are employed at animal hospitals and clinics throughout the country.

Veterinarians also play an important role in food safety and public health through work in meat inspection, laboratory services and hygiene control.

SVF is an important stakeholder in matters relating to veterinary medicine, animal health and welfare, food production and public health. Government ministries, authorities and industry organisations regularly consult SVF on legislative proposals, policy documents and reports. SVF also works proactively to influence decisions that affect veterinarians, veterinary medicine, public health and animal welfare.

To support its work, SVF has several permanent committees and, when needed, temporary working groups that prepare background material and recommendations for the Executive Board.

Many issues extend beyond national borders. Through membership in the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the World Veterinary Association (WVA), SVF works to represent and promote the interests of Swedish veterinarians internationally.

The Swedish Veterinary Journal

Communication and knowledge sharing are important parts of SVF's work. In addition to social media and direct communication with members and stakeholders, SVF publishes the Swedish Veterinary Journal (Svensk Veterinärtidning), featuring articles on veterinary medicine, professional issues and developments within the veterinary sector.

The journal is one of Sweden's leading sources of veterinary information.

Journal website: Svensk Veterinärtidning
E-mail: [email protected]

For advertising enquiries, please contact [email protected].

Contact us

The office of the Swedish Veterinary Association is located at Kungsholms Hamnplan 7, Stockholm.

Postal address: Box 12709, SE-112 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone: +46 (0)8 545 558 20
E-mail: [email protected]