Legislation Details
- Full Title: Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession
- Law Type: Federal Law
- Law Number: [10] of 2002
- Issued Date: 28 Sep 2002
- Effective Date: 11 Nov 2002
- Official Gazette: No. 387
- Sector: Labour, Residency and Professions
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 81
- Chapters/Parts: 5
- Amendments: 2
Summary
The Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession regulates the licensing and practice of veterinary medicine in the United Arab Emirates. It establishes the requirements and procedures for individuals to obtain a license to practice as a veterinarian or in allied veterinary medical professions. The law also sets out the licensing and operational requirements for various types of veterinary facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and farms. Additionally, it outlines the duties and responsibilities of licensed veterinarians, including their obligations to cooperate with health authorities and obtain consent for certain procedures. The law aims to ensure the proper practice of veterinary medicine and protect animal and public health in the UAE. (Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 1-27)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession regulates the licensing and practice of veterinary medicine in the United Arab Emirates. It applies to all individuals and establishments engaged in veterinary medical practices, including veterinarians, allied veterinary medical professionals, and various types of veterinary facilities such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and farms. The law aims to ensure the proper practice of veterinary medicine and protect animal and public health in the UAE. (Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 1-2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
- State: United Arab Emirates
- The Ministry: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
- Minister: Minister of Climate Change and Environment
- Competent Department: The department concerned in the Ministry
- Concerned Authority: The local authority in each Emirate concerned with the application of the Law
- Veterinary Medicine Profession: Any of the activities of veterinary medical practices practised by the Veterinarian
- Veterinary Medical Practices: Providing medical advice; practising scientific, research and extension activities or examinations; dealing with animals, whether through examination, treatment, prevention, surgeries, births, artificial insemination; prescribing or dealing with veterinary preparations; examining products, waste or animal feed; and issuing veterinary health certificates
- Veterinarian: The person who holds a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Veterinary Medicine from a recognised university, and a licence to practise the Veterinary Profession from the Ministry
- Allied Veterinary Medical Professions: Professions specialised in providing auxiliary work to the Veterinary Medicine Profession, as determined by the Executive Regulation of this Law
- Veterinary Facility: Every non-governmental facility designated as a veterinary hospital, veterinary clinic, veterinary laboratory, veterinary drug warehouse, veterinary pharmacy, veterinary scientific advisory office, commercial productive farms, or artificial insemination centre
- Animal: All types of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and crustaceans
- Animal Samples: Samples taken from animals for diagnostic and laboratory examination purposes
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The law imposes several key obligations and requirements: 1. No person may practice the veterinary medicine profession or allied veterinary medical professions without a license from the Ministry. (Art. 2) 2. Applicants for a veterinary medicine license must hold a bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine or its equivalent from a recognized university in the UAE. (Art. 3) 3. Licensed veterinarians must be honest, sincere, and adhere to the principles of the profession. They must cooperate with other health and veterinary establishments to maintain animal and human health. (Art. 14) 4. Veterinarians must immediately inform the competent authorities if they suspect an animal is infected with an epidemic or contagious disease. (Art. 15) 5. Veterinarians must obtain written consent from animal owners before conducting surgery. (Art. 15 BIS) 6. Veterinary facilities must maintain records of animal treatments and obtain permission to send animal samples outside the UAE. (Art. 17 BIS)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 2-3, 14-15, 17 BIS)
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law establishes the following licensing and registration requirements: 1. Individuals must obtain a license from the Ministry to practice as a veterinarian or in an allied veterinary medical profession. (Art. 2) 2. Veterinary facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and farms, must obtain an initial approval from the Minister and a final license from the relevant local authority. (Art. 10) 3. The Ministry maintains a general register of licensed veterinarians and allied veterinary medical professionals, divided into sub-registers based on their area of practice. (Art. 7) 4. Veterinarians must inform the Ministry before joining or leaving a veterinary establishment, and the establishment must close if a licensed veterinarian is not available. (Art. 12) 5. The Minister issues resolutions specifying the requirements and conditions for issuing veterinary licenses and facility licenses. (Art. 3, 10)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 2, 7, 10, 12)
What rights and protections does this law provide?
The law does not explicitly outline any specific rights or protections granted to individuals or businesses. However, it does provide that if a veterinarian is unable to practice due to a disease or disability, they may continue to practice with the approval of the Minister based on a report from a competent medical committee. (Art. 9)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 9)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The key authorities and bodies responsible for enforcement under this law are: 1. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which is responsible for issuing licenses, maintaining the veterinary register, and coordinating with local authorities. (Art. 5, 7) 2. The Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who has the authority to decide on license applications, issue resolutions, and hear complaints about license decisions. (Art. 3, 5, 6) 3. The competent department within the Ministry, which is responsible for various administrative functions. (Art. 1) 4. The concerned local authority in each Emirate, which is responsible for the application of the law and issuing final facility licenses. (Art. 1, 10, 11)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 1, 5-7, 10-11)
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law imposes the following penalties for non-compliance: 1. Imprisonment of not less than 1 year and/or a fine of not less than AED 10,000 and not exceeding AED 200,000 for: - Practicing the veterinary medicine profession or allied veterinary medical professions without a license - Submitting incorrect documents or data to obtain a license - Using promotional materials to wrongfully claim the right to practice veterinary medicine 2. The court may order the closure of the veterinary facility and confiscation of equipment and supplies related to the unlawful practice of veterinary medicine. 3. The license of the veterinary professional shall be deemed expired, and their name removed from the register.
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 19)
What fees, charges, or financial provisions are specified?
The law states that a fee must be paid for entry into the general register of veterinarians and allied veterinary medical professionals. However, it exempts national veterinarians, allied professionals, and employees of federal and local authorities from paying these fees. The Minister is responsible for issuing a resolution organizing the register and specifying the data to be included. (Art. 7)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 7)
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law does not specify any exemptions or exceptions to its requirements. All individuals practicing veterinary medicine or allied veterinary medical professions must be licensed, and all veterinary facilities must be licensed, regardless of their ownership or nature of operations.
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002)
How are disputes resolved under this law?
The law provides a mechanism for resolving disputes related to license applications. Specifically, it states that an applicant whose license application is refused may file a complaint with the Minister within 30 days of the refusal decision. The Minister's decision on the complaint is final. (Art. 6)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 6)
What are the key deadlines and time limits?
The law specifies the following key deadlines and time limits: 1. The Ministry must decide on a license application within 30 days of submission. (Art. 5) 2. An applicant whose license is refused has 30 days to file a complaint with the Minister. (Art. 6) 3. If a licensed veterinarian leaves a veterinary establishment, the establishment must inform the Ministry and the local authority within 30 days, unless a replacement veterinarian is already available. (Art. 12)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Art. 5-6, 12)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
The Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession references the following related UAE legislation: 1. The interim constitution of the UAE (preamble) 2. Federal Law No. 1 of 1972 on the functions of Ministries and the powers of Ministers (preamble) 3. Federal Law No. 6 of 1979 on the regulation of veterinary quarantine (preamble) 4. Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 on the issuance of the punitive law (preamble) 5. Federal Law No. 35 of 1992 on the issuance of the penal law (preamble)
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, preamble)
When did this law come into effect?
The Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession was issued on 28 September 2002 and came into effect on 11 November 2002, as published in Official Gazette No. 387. The law does not specify any transitional provisions.
(Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession, 2002, Legislation Details)
Source Documents
This article analyses Federal Law on Practicing the Veterinary Medicine Profession for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.