10 Oct - 14 Oct 2011
Cape Town, South Africa
2011 held much significance for the veterinary profession as the 30th World Veterinary Congress took place in Cape Town, South Africa, during World Veterinary Year, with the related theme of “Vet for health, Vet for food, Vet for the planet!”
It was the 250th Anniversary of veterinary education and of the veterinary profession.
Some 2,000 delegates from over 170 nations attended the Congress, which represented the most extensive veterinary scientific showcase yet to emerge on African soils.
It was the first time that the Congress was hosted in sub-Saharan Africa
Matters of real importance to the health and wellbeing of all South Africans as well as to the national, continental and global economy were under discussion as the Congress explored the theme “Caring for animals: healthy communities.”
When she opened the Congress, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson of the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that “The one-health concept is a significant approach in ensuring human and animal health.
The concept is an interface between wild life, domestic animals and human health and it certainly endeavours to revolutionise health in general”.