Law No. 160 “On veterinary medicine”.

This Law establishes that the profession of veterinarian is a liberal and independent profession, with regulated autonomy within the organization. It is organized and operates on the basis of the principle of autonomy and is regulated by the General Association of Veterinarians, which is non-governmental organization of veterinarians. Veterinary medicine shall be considered medical science aimed at protection and care of animals, contributing to protection of public health and environment. The profession of veterinarian has as objectives the protection of animal health, consumer protection and the environmental protection, in order to improve animal health, ensuring the food security of the population, facilitating trade relations and maintaining ecological balance. The profession of veterinarian has exclusivity in the following fields of competence: (a) animal health; (b) public veterinary health and hygiene of animal and animal products; (c) border veterinary inspection and controls; (d) veterinary laboratory surveillance and diagnosis; (e) animal feed hygiene control; (f) coordination of animal identification and registration; (g) continuing veterinary training and education; (h) testing, registration and authorization of the production and marketing of animal products; (i) retail trade and use of organic products, special use pesticides and veterinary drugs; and (j) veterinary consultancy and audit.